Practicing Zen Buddhists tend to have a very unruffled attitude and try to approach life without attaching to extremes. Regarding alcohol, the issue is neither debauchery nor abstinence. The primary factor to consider is how alcohol affects cognitive abilities. Our thinking is already polluted with the frenetic 'monkey-mind' chatter of aversions and attachments. If the mind becomes further clouded with excessive alcohol that would only magnify our separation from reality.
There is also the sense of communal responsibility where our actions do not harm others. If we're around children, someone with a drinking addiction, or driving a car, then restraint is a valuable practice. On the other hand, after a hard day of working outdoors, a cold beer while relaxing on the patio is delightfully refreshing.
With ripe sun-kissed grains
And cold, fresh, filtered water.
Beer is a health food.
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