I'm in my late 20s and suddenly I can't drink like I used to in college just 5 years ago.
But I wasn't really picky or sophisticated. I can certainly appreciate something like a high quality scotch or whatver, but those were special occasions usually provided by somebody else.
Guinness (poured properly), Yeungling, light beers on hot days, vodka because it's typically cheap and can be mixed with so many different things... I really like a good sake, though it's important to know whether to serve a specific sake hot, cold, room temp. Just to name a few.
Unfortunately I think those days are behind me. Drinking is only fun for me if I get properly sloshed, but now the hangxiety and worry of what I did or said the next day, the headache, etc., just not worth it anymore. I've tried so many tricks, eating good food, plenty of water between drinks of alcohol, Liquid IV powder or Pedialyte, it's not enough. Back in college I didn't need any of that and was more or less fine the next day. So weird.
And to be clear: I could never drink *that* much. 7-8 beers over the course of a video game night would be pushing it, and I would always try to keep things to one alcoholic beverage an hour. Obviously if I were to drink a 12 pack by myself then I wouldn't find it surprising to be suffering the consequences the next day, but just 5-6 beers at 4% has me knocked out the entire next day even when I very deliberately pace myself. I don't see how I could continue doing that and also hold a job or be a semi-functional adult.
If I ever drink nowadays, I have to plan for it in advance, literally starting the entire next day with specific foods and plenty of water + multivitamin. And my calendar has to be completely clear the following day. No work, no obligations, nothing but a day to recover. There is no other way. For that reason, I don't see myself drinking more than a handful of times per year for the rest of my life. It makes no difference what I drink.
The only way I could see myself drinking like I used to is if I were able to hook myself up to an IV bag and get top-of-the-line medical care. Well, I can't afford that nor do I have the knowledge to perform anything like that myself.