Steel-maker turned mess into ale (8)
I believe the answer is:
bessemer
'steel-maker' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'turned mess into ale' is the wordplay.
'turned' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'ale' becomes 'beer' (I've seen this before).
'mess' written backwards gives 'ssem'.
'ssem' put into 'beer' is 'BESSEMER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bessemer that I've seen before include "Steel-making process inventor" , "Engineer who devised steel-making process" , "Man of steel" .)