From a German perspective there was the “branntweinpest” in the 19th century in Prussia triggered by cheap and available liquor (Branntwein). This indicates to

From a German perspective there was the “branntweinpest” in the 19th century in Prussia triggered by cheap and available liquor (Branntwein). This indicates to me that before the availability of cheap liquor alcohol consumption was more limited. Anecdotally I live in a wine growing region but the older generations would drink wine diluted with water, the local wine was a already produced in a way that it wasn’t entirely dry, I.e. more sugar less alcohol in the wine that then was diluted. So I find it reasonable to believe that people used to be for most centuries consuming alcohol but moderately affected. As in, they would not have appeared heavily intoxicated. Of course it would have affected their health and increased risk to become an alcohol addict, but then, it seems alcohol was actually not so cheap until cheap liquor from grains and potatoes became available. Beer used to be a seasonal drink due to lack of cooling, or without engineered yeasts it’s alcohol content low.