Crossword Genius

Reason to restrict availability of alcohol (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rationale

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'reason' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'restrict availability of alcohol' is the wordplay.
'restrict' becomes 'ration' (rationing is a kind of restricting).
'availability of alcohol' becomes 'ale' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ration'+'ale'='RATIONALE'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "Logical reason for action" , "Motivation" , "Underlying principle" , "grounds?" , "Logical basis (for a course of action)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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