Heron makes a beer - new for starting! (7)
I believe the answer is:
bittern
'heron' is the definition.
(bittern is a kind of heron)
'a beer new for starting' is the wordplay.
'a beer' becomes 'bitter' (bitter is a type of beer).
'new for starting' becomes 'n' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'bitter'+'n'='BITTERN'
'makes' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bittern that I've seen before include "Marshland bird" , "Bird of marshes" , "Source of boom" , "''He shall not hear the ... cry / In the wild sky where he is lain'' (Lament for Thomas MacDonagh)" , "Booming marsh bird" .)