Stout worker needs run (4)
I believe the answer is:
beer
'stout' is the definition.
'worker needs run' is the wordplay.
'worker' becomes 'bee' (I've seen this before).
'needs' says to put letters next to each other.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'bee'+'r'='BEER'
(Other definitions for beer that I've seen before include "Malt liquor" , "Hop drink" , "Fermented alcoholic beverage" , "Perhaps bitter" , "It may be 13 across-ed!" .)