NA meetings always tell the addict drinking is not acceptable-it is a replacement for the high. Even if it starts with 1 beer, eventually it will become addictive. They are addicts-nothing is done in moderation. It may start that way, but eventually they have addictive personalities that will prevail. My exAH was an alcoholic for years before recovery, then about 10 years into recovery, started pills, wound up addicted to oxy's & drinking. It is just replacing one high with another-it seems so innocent because it is alcohol, but becomes just as scary as drugs.
This is just my opinion.
I will pray that you & him find peace & serenity.