Do we need the booze or, is it a "culture" thing?
Good question.
In my experience how much one could drink was a very macho thing .Also there were quite a few games played whereby the penalty was to knock down a pint, quickly. Guys who could down a pint in one were heroes.
Spent many a night with head in the toilet vowing never to drink again! As probably many of us did.
So yes, it was a culture thing in my opinion.
I enjoy a couple of pints these days still...sipped slowly!