Alcohol is one of the few intoxicants that you can legally buy almost anywhere in the world that is well regulated, has consistent dosages, and can engage in publicly. Being able to consistently source an unadulterated supply is one of its major appeals. Prohibition decreased consumption by as much as 70%.
The problem is that it's also responsible for a tremendous cost in terms of life, resources, and human misery. Drunk driving alone account for a quarter of 1.25 annual fatalities on the roads worldwide. I don't know how many people die from alcoholism, or have their lives shortened by it, lost wages, downstream effects of kids raised by alcoholic parents, etc... but it's certainly not a small issue.
So yeah the ease of getting the stuff and the social acceptance makes it popular, but is it a good idea? Drugs like caffeine, khat, and mild psychedelics have much more favorable therapeutic indices and a better track record in terms of death and illness, never mind be a lot less physically addictive and much MUCH easier to quit.
