Began to trade, perhaps, in beer (7,3)
I believe the answer is:
started out
'began' is the definition.
('start out' can be a synonym of 'begin')
'trade perhaps in beer' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'beer' becomes 'stout' (type of beer).
'trade' anagrammed gives 'arted'.
'arted' going inside 'stout' is 'STARTED OUT'.
'to' is the link.
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