Underlying reason to limit beer supply? (9)
I believe the answer is:
rationale
'underlying reason' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'limit beer supply?' is the wordplay.
'limit' becomes 'ration' (rationing is a kind of limiting).
'beer supply?' becomes 'ale' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ration'+'ale'='RATIONALE'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "justification" , "Logical basis (for a course of action)" , "Logical reason for action" , "Basis of logic" , "Underlying principle" .)