Crossword Genius

Knocked back excellent beer - splendid stuff! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

regalia

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'splendid stuff' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'knocked back excellent beer' is the wordplay.
'knocked back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'excellent' becomes 'ai' (resembles 'A1', old-fashioned term for excellent).
'beer' becomes 'lager' (type of beer).
'ai'+'lager'='ailager'
'ailager' backwards is 'REGALIA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for regalia that I've seen before include "Royal paraphernalia" , "Orb and sceptre etc" , "Finery" , "Crown jewels" , "Royal insignia" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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