Possible Clues:

• Preserved, though the worse for wear
• Chose to cross lake, being the worse for wear
• Drunk chose to drink lager at first
• Cream shown in one's cups
• Preserved in e.g. vinegar
• The best came first, drunk
• Cream were first to get drunk
• Preserved, in a way
• Preference was first to get drunk
• Tool was in the van, smashed