Crossword Genius

Reason to restrict supply of booze (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rationale

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

'restrict supply of booze' is the wordplay.
'restrict' becomes 'ration' (rationing is a kind of restricting).
'supply of booze' becomes 'ale' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ration'+'ale'='RATIONALE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "Philosophy" , "Underlying principle" , "grounds?" , "solution in theory" , "Logical reason for action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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