I didn't find my experience to always be like SoberLife90 describes. I was able to have moderate amounts sometimes, like that five pints endlesspatience had last night. The problem is that s o m e t i me s I could do that, and that led me to many years of binge/moderate/binge/moderate. I think there are different trajectories and different levels of obsession/craving for different people - and even at different times. Many, many times I could have one or two and call it a day. Just as often I couldn't, and therein lies the rub.
Endlesspatience, if you have found yourself here and at AA meetings, you must think you have a problem. Don't be fooled by your ability to have five. (ha ha, like "five" is some kind of accomplishment, listen to me, will ya? Most people don't have five in any given week.)
Be careful. I hope you can get back to abstinence, with or without AA. Abstinence is so much easier than the back and forth and the fear of what crazy thing might happen - again.