Yes, Islander, beer is proof that God loves us. But a greater proof is His creation of WOMAN.

Hehehe, cute. I wonder what hangovers are proof of?

Assuming that Ben Franklin is a health expert because he discovered electricity is an interesting premise on which to support a belief.

"If god made anything better than heroin, he kept it for himself..."

-Dizzy Gillespie

Before you all go getting appalled, just remember that alcohol is as addictive, if not more so, than heroin... It may be a slower process, but it's still highly addictive... and it can be fatal to detox from. Cheers!

Yes.  It is in the Bible, God has given us wine.

Psalm 104: 14-15 "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine which makes man's heart glad."  NASV

That being said, there are plenty of verses warning of the dangers of excess.

I drink moderately - I find a beer or a glass of wine helps me sleep.  I work swing shift.

Right chopperthedog, and don't forget when Jesus turned water into wine! Not just ordinary wine, but the best (aged I supposed) drank for special occations.  John 2:1-11

I agree Russ, this like so many other aspects attempts to ignore individuality.  

The funniest thing is how easily we (even the good dr ) ignores the fact that alcoholic beverages are HUGELY a part of the same catagory he scrutinizes.  What I mean is that most are heavily processed!  What they do to a beer is probably every bit as processed as what they do to milk and other foods.  The grains in beer, are they GMO, are there pesticides, etc.  

So, because there is alcohol (which may or may not have benefits) in there does any potential positive outweigh the potential harmful effects.  Wine has pesticides and sulfites and things of that nature as well.

I would love to see a report on people that are not consuming processed and toxic ridden products.

Well...there's nothing like having an expensive french brandy or shot of bourbon after a long difficult day at the office.  So I drink to relax and remain healthy as a race horse.  It's all about balance and not going overboard.  A glass of wine at mealtime makes the taste of food so much more enjoyable to eat and is a way to celebrate life and laughter with a lover.  Dr. Mercola may outlive me, but I think I may enjoy my meals a little more than him.  What's life all about anyway, if you can't indulge in it?  James Bond knows how to do this and is my mentor.