Real ale enthusiasts rejected imbibing good North American brandy (8)

I believe the answer is:

armagnac

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'brandy' is the definition.
(Armagnac is an example)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for armagnac that I've seen before include "Spirit" , "Brandy traditionally made in Aquitaine" , "Variety of brandy distilled in district of Gascony SW France" , "Kind of brandy" , "Liquor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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