Medical science has shown that those who average 1-2 drinks a day are healthier and live longer than those who abstain. When I was younger, I usually went a little over that, and would often take in at least 7 on Friday night and 10 or more on Saturday. I always found that I could operate some equipment, especially a chain saw or pool cue, most effectively when I had 3-4 beers in me. These days, I try to average a drink a day, but dont always make it that high, so in the end my average should come out about right. I never had a drink while operating a tractor or automobile, but will sometimes tip a few while trolling in my motorboat or bobber-fishing. I never go for any booze when casting for bass however, as the first thing one looses from alcohol is the ability to "detect a strike".