Great post!
Here in Finland, socializing and drinking go hand in hand, just like in many other parts of the world I guess (for example, as Jonathan mentioned about Australia a few comments above). If you don't drink, you'll have to explain why. It's pretty sad, really - shouldn't it be the other way around? If someone has to explain their drinking preferences, shouldn't it be the one who chooses to poison themselves with alcohol?
That being said, I do enjoy alcohol. I genuinely enjoy the taste of wine, cognac, whisky (good quality whisky only, the cheap ones taste absolutely foul), some dry ciders, and certain beers. To be honest, I also enjoy the slight buzz and relaxed feeling I get from a couple of drinks. I realize this is an acquired taste, just like coffee (another absurd thing to drink if you think about it), and for the life of me, I can't remember when, why, and how I taught myself to like certain alcoholic drinks.
I began drinking in college and certainly had my share of those drunken stupidities. In my early 20's, I drank too much too often and did many things I regret. I learned from those mistakes, however, and these days I drink socially or for the taste, and never drink to the point I lose control of myself, have poor judgement, or lose my memory. And hangovers? Totally not getting them. They suck.
Used this way, I think alcohol can be very enjoyable. But it's certainly not a necessary part of life. Alcohol is a hard drug! Yeah, it's legal, but it's actually way more harmful than some illegal drugs. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe in any way.