Blame the booze?? You sound like one of those gun-control morons (like the mayor of Chicago) who blamed the gun for killing our soldiers at Ft. Hood. This “prof” is a racist punk who should be sent to prison for assault and battery.
Oh, he’s definitely a racist punk. All you are with alcohol is what are are without it - but more so. However, I’m not sure he would have hit her without the alcohol (unless, of course, it turns out that he was in the bar but not drinking!). He’s 56 and doesn’t seem to have done anything like this before.
That’s not excusing him. But many people have said or done things they regret after a few drinks, and I think the way he handles this now is going to be more important and tell us more about him.