No, drinking alcoholic beverages is not in itself a sin. The Bible teaches that it's the misuse of alcohol that is a sin (Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3). Abuse of alcohol causes untold harm to the abuser, his or her family and society. And drunkenness can keep a person out of the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

However, the Bible teaches that there is a moderate use of wine. One of the most telling scriptures on the subject is Judges 9:13, which says that wine "cheers both God and men." Psalm 104 presents alcohol use in a positive light: "And wine that makes glad the heart of man" (verse 15). It's also noteworthy that Christ's first public miracle was turning water into a fine quality wine (John 2).

Christ instructed Christians to take wine as part of the Passover service (1 Corinthians 11:25-26). In the context of this instruction, Paul corrected some of the Corinthian Church for getting drunk at the Passover (1 Corinthians 11:21). Clearly, they were using fermented wine in the observance of the Passover, or it would not have been possible for them to become inebriated.

Of course, people with an inherent proclivity toward alcoholism should not use alcohol, even in moderation. Those under the legal drinking age should obey the law, and no one should feel compelled to drink on social occasions. But most people can learn to avoid the abuses so prevalent in society today and can properly use alcoholic beverages in moderation if they desire.