That's true, and I think it is a very good thing. While many people can control themselves with alchohol, many cannot. My own brother was killed while drinking, and I have seen how badly my friends get. It can bring out the good in people, but is that enough to outweigh the consequences it can influence?
As for the reason it is not allowed in Islam, I haven't read it yet. I did read it in referencing of cooking though
Thank you, and no worries my friend, he died when I was five. I don't remember much of him. He made his choices, good and bad. Got with the wrong crowd too young.