In the Gemara Shab. 140bShab. 140b Rav Papa is recorded saying that one who drinks wine while able to drink beer violates “ba’al tashchit”. Maharsh”a comments that Rav Papa’s disapproval of consuming wine instead of beer was due to personal bias since he had profited handsomely by beer manufacture (Rav Papa was a brewer).
1- Chazal are known to have been individuals that were extremely refined in their character traits including having pure intentions, so how could the Maharsha have written such an explanation?
2- Why did the Maharsha write this explanation? Was there a difficulty he was trying to resolve?