I've decided that a very obvious strategy beer-wise is to not drink 2 nights in a row. If I also reduce the amount per night when I do have a drink, then that would immediately take my consumption down to (say) 1/3 of what it has been recently.
One beer is never going to do it for me I'm afraid! I'd rather keep a completely clear head and not have any, or if it is a beer night, just relax and have a few. If I cut down to twice a week and fewer beers on those evenings, then I'd be at about 1/5 of my previous intake and I think I could be content with that, so that is what I'll try and do.
If I make one of those beer nights a few hours after a longish ride, I'd probably be too tired to drink much anyway. One night mid-week as well probably wouldn't hurt.
Once I am cycling more, I'll feel more relaxed in the evenings anyway and won't need beer to calm me down. I just find it hard to motivate myself to go out alone in the winter. Still, no excuses - I have that gym bike, so I can always give myself a good thrashing on that!
Anyway - I just had a couple of fruit juices last night and feel better for having had a night off. I'm resting my legs today because they are stiff from the climbs yesterday. I'll try and get a ride in at the weekend and, hopefully, another with Calum on Tuesday.
so a plus point for keeping a dry backside. 
