>Argentina is an example of that. In my case (and I was not the exception) my parents would allow me a small drip of wine or champagne in big family meetings, like Christmas, since very early age, and from around 15 years old my mother would by me a can of beer for my lunch every day. In college I drank lots of different "white beverages" having a preference for vodka, but usually limited to weekends/parties; and now, for at least the last 15 years I barely drink alcohol, so based in my limited experience, my mother's wasn't a bad idea after all.

Same in Serbia (and, I have to guess, in the rest of the ex-Yu). Alcohol is everywhere, and hard to avoid. You are exposed to it at early age - so it's far better to learn about it, and about how your own body reacts to it, while you aren't doing anything dangerous, like running a business or driving. You "run [your] dog" while you're young - when will you, if not then. Then it fades, unless you're in the entertainment business (or in a business, and need to entertain your business partners...). Most of decision making is lubricated around a tavern table.

Presently, I don't even know how much brandy I have - few tens of liters, and I'm not even touching it. I need my head for work :). Sometimes, on a weekend evening, I get a couple of beers (dark, Nikšićko) and that's it.