I'm glad you're here John!
I too was a every night beer drinker.
Many times I tried to control my drinking and I always ended up eventually drinking way too much. For me it was a special event like a company party at a bar where they provide free booze, a rock concert, traveling for work to a different country etc.
There is one thing I realized through AA that I wasn't really aware of before...
When I tried to control my drinking, I couldn't really enjoy it.
When I wanted to enjoy my drinking, I couldn't really control it.
For example when I would force myself to only have two or three, all I could think about was having two or three more, and even sneaking a few more behind my wife's back.
When I was really in the partying mood and not trying to control my intake, after about 8 I'd lose track and go on autopilot and how drunk I was going to get was anyone's guess.
All I can say is that with the help of AA I have remained sober longer than I have ever attempted before on my own.
The best of luck to you!