Crossword Genius

Source of honey and, going back years, a type of beer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apiary

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'source of honey' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
I also know that 'honey' relates to this answer.

'going back years a type of beer' is the wordplay.
'going back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'years' becomes 'y' (abbreviation).
'a type of' becomes 'ra' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'beer' becomes 'IPA' (India pale ale).
'y'+'ra'+'ipa'='yraipa'
'yraipa' written backwards gives 'APIARY'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apiary that I've seen before include "Colony giving off a buzz?" , "Where honey is made?" , "Collection of beehives" , "Collection of hives" , "Bee house" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app