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The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals--and rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls. Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation. The In the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and if is considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations.

The desired effects of drinking are a sense of euphoria, the easing of tension, stress and worry (the "happy hour"), and the relaxation of barriers among people to promote good fellowship. Too much alcohol results in intoxication or drunkenness (even death), impairment of speech, and aggressive outbursts that verge on violence. Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol--the alcohol—the patient cannot stop himself. Programs like Alcoholic Anonymous use a semi-religious treatment program to get the person to never take another drink, for even one drink is a dangerous relapse.

Alcoholic beverages contains [[ethanol]] (C₂H₅OH), which is an addictive [[psychoactive]] [[depressant]], although the initial effects may resemble that of a [[stimulant]]. Alcohol consumption tends to lower inhibition, slow reaction time and decrease [[decreased dexterity]]. Over-consumption can result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.

Beverages are considered "low-alcohol" if they contain less than 7 percent alcohol.<ref> [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/predawn/F93/cisco.txt Canandaigua Wine Co. agrees to advertising, packaging changes for Cisco fortified wine to settle FTC charges]</ref>

[[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops. Hops, which became popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, give beer its distinctive bitter taste and act as a natural preservative. Preservation was essential before the invention of refrigeration in the late 19th century. In most of the world, two large corporations--both corporations—both based in Europe--dominate Europe—dominate the market. Anheuser-Busch InBev (based in Belgium) has 25% of the global market. It bought out the American firm Anheuser-Busch in 2008. SABMiller, in London, bought out Miller's in 2002. However , there are several thousand locally owned "microbreweries" that serve local markets.

Beer was discovered independently by many societies in the past.<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>. In ancient [[Egypt]], beer was used to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy .<ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>. Within [[Christianity]], beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting.<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>. In medieval Europe, beer was frequently the main drink taken by the people, as healthy and wholesome water supplies were not always easily available.

Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets (aromas) and [[flavor]]s. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed performed with it.<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>. Roman Catholics believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the blood of Christ during [[communion]].<ref> Augustin Joseph Schulte, [[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01358a.htm "Altar Wine." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' Vol. 1. (1907)].</ref>

As the ''Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible'' (1984) concludes, "No evidence whatsoever exists to support the notion that the wine mentioned in the Bible was unfermented grape juce." <ref> See Pierard (1984); [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc12.w.vi.html I> benzinger, "Wine, Hebrew" ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911) v 12 pp 382-3] </ref> Some Muslims argue that Jesus--since Jesus—since he was a good Muslim prophet--would prophet—would have converted water into grape juice because God forbids alcoholic drink. These Muslims find it "inconceivable" that Jesus would have produced a beverage that they blame for the "social and moral bankruptcy" of the West.

In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported [[Prohibition]]. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist Church]]. Mormons follow a law of health known as the [[Word of Wisdom]] which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including Southern Baptist and Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.

Consumption of alcohol is banned in several countries including Iran and Saudi Arabia. Penalties for infractions are stringent and in conformity with conservative moral standards in Islamic states. <ref>[http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_law.shtml Alcohol: Legal Status]</ref> <ref>[http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=32856 Alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia]</ref>

* Pierard, Richard V. "Alcohol, Drinking of," in Walter A. Elwell, ed. ''Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible'' (1984) pp 27-2927–29