my $re1 = qr/beer=(\d{2}).*chips=(\d{3})/;
my $re2 = qr/vodka=(\d{2})/;

if ( $str =~ /$re1 ) {
  my $m1 = $1;
  my $m2 = $2;
  if ( $str =~ /$re2/ ) {
    #use that capture and go on...
  }
}

##</code><code>##

"cat:dog" =~ /(cat)*/;

##</code><code>##

"dog:cat" =~ /(cat)*/;