My take on this is sharing a drink is one of the major (if not THE major) ways of socializing in our culture. So I can totally understand the INITIAL knee-jerk

My take on this is sharing a drink is one of the major (if not THE major) ways of socializing in our culture. So I can totally understand the INITIAL knee-jerk reaction when someone refuses to drink with 'the team' as this might be seen as a refusal to socialize. Although if someone politely refuses to drink, it's really none of my business why. I for example wouldn't drink [much lol] before a heavy squat day but I totally don't want to start explaining/justifying this to someone who never lifted anything heavier than a pint.