The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word BREWS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
B
R
E
W
S
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "plots" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case plots = brews.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BREWS mean?
BREWS noun- The mixture formed by brewing; that which is brewed; a brewage, such as a cup of tea or a brewed beer.
- A beer.
- To make tea or coffee by mixing tea leaves or coffee beans with hot water.
- To heat wine, infusing it with spices; to mull.
- To make a hot soup by combining ingredients and boiling them in water.
- To make beer by steeping a starch source in water and fermenting the resulting sweet liquid with yeast.
- To foment or prepare, as by brewing
- To attend to the business, or go through the processes, of brewing or making beer.
- (of an unwelcome event) To be in a state of preparation; to be mixing, forming, or gathering.
- To boil or seethe; to cook.
- A hill or overhanging cliff.