What is alcoholism? And considered by 'whom?'
IMO, alcoholism has 'nothing' to do with how much you consume, but rather your attitude towards the substance, how it affects your health, your relationships, and your ability to function in general..
If 'you' are the master of the beer.. then all is well.. If OTOH, the beer is the master of you.. then there is a problem...
Furthermore, different people have different 'amount' tolerances according to their size, their metabolism, their mass index, their level of fatigue, their activity level, their age, their gender, and all sorts of other factors... even the altitude and climate where they live...
If drinking causes you a greater amount of problem than the enjoyment you extract from it, then there is a problem... If it causes problems with how you interact with people, then there is a problem.. If you go and blow your paycheck at the bar on the way home from work, and there's no money left for food, or rent, or utilities, etc.. then there is a problem... If you are missing work because of drinking, then there is a problem.. If you're getting DUI's, etc. then there is a problem,,,, if you are bleeding when you crap or are barfing up blood, then there is a problem....
If on the other hand, you are having a few every night, and the worst thing that happens is you get sleepy and grow a bit of a belly.. then so what.. Eating a big dinner does that to you too...
In fact, if drinking a few causes you to unwind and enjoy the good things in your life more.. causes you to let go of the day and appreciate your wife and kids and warm home.. then it is a 'good' thing.. Bottled up stress is much harder on your life, family, health and general well being than a few drinks every night ever will be..
And 'statistics' prove this out... Recent studies show that those who don't drink at all live shorter lives than those who drink moderately... they even live shorter lives than those who drink heavily...
God gave us alcohol as a reward for when the days work is completed... If you abuse it it becomes a curse.. if you enjoy it in a reasonably healthy way then it is one of life's greatest blessings..
And none of that has 'anything' to do with a set number of drinks per day.. The point at which it becomes 'too much' is unique to every individual and varies from day to day for the individual...
In short...
RDWHAHB