Crossword Genius

Runs after people gathering for a drink (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beer

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'for a drink' is the definition.
(beer is a kind of drink)

'runs after people gathering' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'runs' could be 'r' (cricket abbreviation) and 'r' is located in the answer.
'gathering' could be 'bee' (bee is a kind of gathering) and 'bee' is located in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beer that I've seen before include "Stout, for example" , "Drink using hops, malt, etc" , "Malt liquor" , "Hop drink" , "Hopped drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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