This might be a reference to the Japanese concept called Nomikai, an incredibly common practice where workers go out drinking with their boss. For some workplaces, this can be a worker's only shot to impress their boss or get their attention.
Very similar concept in Korea. I got a job offer there after a three month project I did as a PhD student, and at some point realised it was mostly because I was a good after-work drinker. Which of course was easy, as the only people I knew there were from work, and I knew it was for a limited time. Keeping that up long term? No chance.
Oh man, the drinking culture at my office before remote work was out of control. Not that I minded it much as a total boozehound. It is rather telling though that it started to fade once the bar across the street closed and I went sober.
Getting drunk is the point of the ordeal. Nobody drinks alcohol because of the taste (no, you don't, whiskey nerd who will inevitably jerk his misguided manliness into the comments).
Look, I'm an "advanced" drinker, I have a bar stocked with high quality or exotic liqueurs, if I have a beer it's either an IPA or a nice Belgian, and I make kick ass cocktails (classics or modern) that I could probably sell for 20€ a pop in a city center.
Still, all of that is just excuses so I can drink without looking like a bottom of the barrel alcoholic lmao. Sure I can and do enjoy the taste but still the reason to drink it is for that sweet sweet ethanol.