Brew guzzled by Paul after messing up times tables (8)

'up times tables' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both natural objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'brew guzzled by paul after messing' is the wordplay.
'brew' becomes 'tea' (I've seen this before).
'guzzled' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters get guzzled up).
'by' becomes 'x' (e by 4 is e x 4).
'after messing' is an anagram indicator.
'x'+'paul'='xpaul'
'xpaul' is an anagram of 'plaux'.
'tea' going into 'plaux' is 'PLATEAUX'.

Can you help me to learn more?