I remember reading here on FR years back that it was common until recent times to give workers beer while they worked. I think shipbuilders were the topic. I also remember people working on houses back in the 1970’s drinking beer while on the job.
My brother was a roofer and drank beer while working. In the 70’s I managed a credit bureau and lunch usually included wine or a bloody mary. Of course, back then I could smoke in my office too.
Thinking about it, there have been a lot of changes in the past 40 years.
The odds of getting something that blows your colon out your rear end were FAR lower drinking beer than drinking water in a populated area back in the day...