I would submit that the root issue between how we view alcohol in the US and other countries is driving. We drive a LOT more than other countries, so someone getting drunk is much more likely to end up with them getting behind the wheel and risking the lives of a lot more people.
I've worked with people who worked in Europe and they marveled at their willingness to indulge in alcohol during working hours, where as nowadays that is verboten here. Even working from home, I refuse to take a drink before my work hours are over, and that is, I think, more cultural than concern over performance.
Rum rations used to be standard on board US man of wars and even infantry during the 1800s. I've heard tales of beer rations during ww2.
I've been lead to believe that in the 60s and 70s drinking during lunch was routine. I have no idea if that is true, or simply a Hollywood fiction.