Crossword Genius

... reason being to restrict supply of beer (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rationale

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'reason' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'to restrict supply of beer' is the wordplay.
'to restrict' becomes 'ration' (rationing is a kind of restricting).
'supply of beer' becomes 'ale' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ration'+'ale'='RATIONALE'

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "Why regulate" , "Logical basis (for a course of action)" , "Logical reason for action" , "solution in theory" , "Reasoned exposition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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