That was our generaL consensus when i was discussing with my neighbours at our Lobby's pub Lastnite too..
uncles and aunties who have abusive drinking behaviors will all lose themselves, civility and be loud and rowdy, despite the type of drinks. but generally, the rate of alcohol consumption contributes to the loss of one's inhibition.
in my social circles, we start the evening young and "drink up" by going thru' the progression of cocktails, beer, champagne with hors d'oeuvres then to white wine when seated and appetizers are served, then to reds (or whites) depending on the meat or entrees, and finally to hard liquor after coffee and desserts.
the occasion, ambience and setting also play a role.
the loudest period is the beginning due to the social open ambience where one has to raise hisher voice over the noise level to be heard. but i observe over 2 decades that beer drinkers are loudest even though they are ladies and gentlemen of high repute, great wealth and marvelous intellect. cocktail drinkers are gossipy, playful but softer as they tend to whisper more. same with champagne or sparkling wine drinkers. they sip, not gulp like beer drinkers. beer drinkers would go thru' two bottles or a few pints before dinner is served. meanwhile, cocktail and champagne drinkers would still have their martini glasses and champagne flutes in hand.
when the same beer drinkers switch to cocktails and champagne on other occasions, their noise level would drop even among same social circles and same settings. the cocktail drinkers who switch to beer for their starting drinks would get louder after 2 pints. it's an interesting role reversal. but all of us will be subdued by the time we hit the cognac glasses.
the fact is between europe and america, not sure about sg, many drink across beverage types, sometimes on the same night. no such thing as one strata of society drinks only beer, and another drinks only wine. perhaps only in sg. :p
