As someone who doesn't really drink and never has alcohol at home, is it just that people buy beer/wine and drink on a daily basis for fun? The wine I feel like you can pair with food and feel classy as an excuse but beer that ain't the case.
I realize how completely dumb this question might sound.
> As someone who doesn't really drink and never has alcohol at home, is it just that people buy beer/wine and drink on a daily basis for fun?
Yes, anything from a couple of drinks a night with dinner / tv to getting blackout drunk multiple times a week, alone, with your significant other, or with friends / roommates.
In the case of people in my social circle (late 30s early 40s) it's primarily still for fun, as well as just a large amount of momentum from your teenage years, 20s, 30s, etc. For a lot of people I know, the association between drinking and good times / relaxation has been deeply engrained since high school.
I've recently taken an extended break for my health, as I'm fully aware that it takes a toll on me, but I still love grabbing some drinks whether I'm relaxing alone in the evening or going out with friends and family.
While it's certainly true that many people get into a dark place with drinking and let it spiral into a self-destructive, depressive pursuit, I don't think it's quite the rule it's made out to be.
I have a good amount of family who live idyllic, full, happy, social lives, drinking heavily multiple times a week with their friends and family into their 70s/80s until death.
Basically I think “a beer would be nice right now” and then I go to the store or local pub.
When drinking small quantities, it's more to relax/unwind at the end of the day than to 'have fun'. Sometimes it's self-medication for stress/depression.
But it can easily escalate into a rather unhealthy habit. And even fairly small amounts can disrupt sleep.