Why do freemasons drink so much alkohol?

Masonic law and historical tradition explicitly reject the excessive consumption of alcohol, emphasizing temperance and moderation instead 1. In the Craft, temperance is formally impressed upon a candidate during initiation as a primary virtue to guard against intemperance and uncontrolled indulgence 1. While Masonic regulation generally does not mandate total abstinence, it strictly forbids excess, leaving the use of stimulants to individual discretion within due bounds 1.

The historical association between Freemasonry and drinking stems from the tradition of Lodge banquets held during times of social refreshment 12. George Oliver described these gatherings as featuring a structured system of ceremonial toasts, often honored with a modest amount of punch to foster conviviality and brotherly affection 1. Such banquets were intended to provide modest social recreation and strengthen personal bonds among members 2.

With the growth of the temperance movement, these traditional drinking customs were increasingly checked, modified, or abandoned across various jurisdictions, particularly in the United States 1. Modern Masonic governance continues to balance social fellowship with strict standards of sobriety, maintaining that social enjoyment must never exceed the bounds of temperance 1.