Operatic composer who might almost have become a brewer (5)
I believe the answer is:
weber
'operatic composer' is the definition.
'weber' can be an answer for 'composer' (Carl Maria von Weber was a German composer). I am unsure of the 'operatic' bit.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for weber that I've seen before include "physics unit" , "Opera composer" , "Composer of Der Freischutz, d. 1826" , "bit of magnetism" , "Composer; physicist" .)