In Standard Macrobiotic practice, the word "occasional" is found to be used. This word is subject to interpretation. It varies from individual to individual. Why? Everyone has a different constitution: some strong, some not so much. And it varies from food to food. For those in good health, some foods may be taken quarterly as an occasional food, which I've found to be a pretty good rule. It's not too often or frequent to cause a possible "addiction" or a potential health problem, but not so far in between as to feel like you can never relax and enjoy an alternative "wide" food and feel like you can't live it up!

Alcohol: It's a VERY quick sugar. It goes straight into the blood stream. It's considered extreme yin. Interestingly, there is a difference between alcohols. Some are made with higher concentrations of alcohol, that is true. Keep that in mind. However, what is the base of the alcohol: fruit or grain? In relation to each other, which is more yin? Fruit is more yin, therefore alcohol made from fruit (in general) is more yin, more scattering, more extreme. This would be things like wine and port, for example. Grain-based alcohols, like some whiskeys, sake, and beer, have a different energy. But whiskey and sake have a much higher alcoholic content. So that leaves us with beer.

What I have observed is that, for those in good health, a quarterly beer or two is very much enjoyed. Again, it isn't so frequent as to cause an "addiction" or potential health problem, but is very much enjoyed on the occasional or infrequent basis in which it is imbibed.

The bigger issue: what is so yang during the week, that extreme yin is craved at the end of it?

Just a thought, and I'm not at all saying you are this, but in macro classes and from observation, the people with the serious alcohol cravings or addictions have as their root cause hypoglycemia. So a word to wise in all of us is: careful of yang -- baked flour products, salty foods, meats, barbecued items -- these cause a tightening of the pancreas, which wants to be released with extreme yin -- sugar, alcohol, dairy, sweets, spices, nightshades, aromatic teas, etc.

Try substituting a juice or see the macrobiotic tea page for some good selections. Get a juicer, experiment with some juices such as a collard, bok choy, mix a little tangerine in there, give it a dollop of apple juice and drink it up! You'll feel refreshed and not compromised.

I know this isn't a full answer because we don't know each other, and I feel as if there are underlying issues that may need to come up. May you discover what is the root cause and experiment with substitutes to see how you feel "fed" emotionally and physically. Good luck to you!

Warmly,