I’m all for sharing of information and informal gathers.  With that said, the concept of “drink and think” is something I am very much against.  If anyone wants to say drink in this context means anything other than alcohol, they are fooling themselves.  As someone who doesn’t drink very often, I frequently experience pressure, sometimes very strong pressure, to drink by my peers and superiors.  You can say that this shouldn’t happen, but the reality is that it does and it is frequent.  The other thing that frequently occurs is that, if I do come, I often end up having to “babysit” people as they become intoxicated.  This has been the case at both formal military functions, “optional” events, and informal gatherings.  Alcohol becomes a main event at most of these gathers.  Heck, it is in the name “drink and think.”  Most of the time I just avoid going to informal gatherings because I do not want to have to “work” (i.e. babysit or be the responsible one).  If I do go, it is only when I know everyone there will remain in control of their actions or I leave early.  I wonder why an informal gathering of people to share ideas and build relationships has to center around alcohol?  Why not hike and think or eat and think or something else?