I just wanted to point out obvious rational concerns with the intoxicant problem as it relates to the believer.
First, Timothy was instructed by Paul who had Luke traveling with him. Luke being a physician most likely (though admittedly not stated) diagnosed Tim with a stomach ailment that needed a bit of medicinal help.
Therefore, taking such intoxicants under a doctors direction or for health sake (such as cough medicine or swishing "Listerine") is permitted.
Two, there were two times on the cross that Christ said he thirsted. The first He was given water. The second He was given a mixture of water and an intoxicant. As soon as He tasted the second, He spit it out. The principle being that not one micro cellular level of control was to be given over to the intoxicant that He remain the pure Lamb, unspotted by the world. Such would oblige that he have total control over every action of the cross - in mind, body, soul, and spirit.
Third, we are to be examples of Christ. We are to treat our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is considered the merest of reasonable service. It isn't that we are not "permitted" to take an intoxicant, but that the intoxicant has as its basic desire to control the person.
Fourth, the Scriptures speak of the "wine" and the "strong drink" as having a form of "being." It can mock, it can disturb the person's senses to the point that the person will loose control of bodily functions, and become unstable.
Because of number 4 and 5 it is important that the believer in this modern age, where there is no cause (especially in the US) for concern over tainted water, and good Dr. Pepper's are very much available, not attempt to find an "excuse" to engage in drink that has at its very foundational desire to gain control over the person.
One can pretty much find an excuse for any excess or to engage in most any activity. Some will even determine engagement is permitted by suggesting that the Scriptures condone the use of wine, that it is permitted in the present age. Such have that liberty, but as has already been posted, the testimony is marred when viewed by the unbeliever.
If the world considers it a violation of what Christians stand for, how much more guarded should the real believer's be in the matter?
Some will state that we don't hold to the world assigning a standard to the believer. That would be good and correct thinking. The believer should be above reproach, and any cause for reproach from the world should easily be able to be laid at the cause of Christ and not soul/flesh liberty. The believer is not of this world, not conformed to the thinking of this world system, and to be pleasured by the worldly.
It is a shame that believers would even post that occasionally getting drunk is not unscriptural!
It is a shame that believers would even consider supporting by purchase and use the ungodly industry that has at its foundation the destruction and control of the humanity.
It is a shame that believers (especially Baptist) are so far removed from the original stand against liquor, that they would even entertain the thought that drinking an intoxicant was an expression of righteousness.
Certainly, the believer is free to engage, but that doesn't make it right in this modern time when it is so very important that the testimony of the truly righteous be a pure and identifiable with the Christ as possible.
There is one purpose for the intoxicant in this modern age. Give it to a person who has no hope, the terminally ill, those who are on death row and are about to die, and those who have no relationship to Christ and the hope of eternity with Him.
