The thing with the Germans and their excessive consumption of alcohol (predominantly beer) - I think it's a clichée that we're drinking so much more than anybody else.
Yes, we do like to drink beer, but all of us still like to get back home upright.
I have plenty opportunities of hosting guest from the US, and we always take them out in the evening, to beer gardens most of the time. Except those that do not drink anyhting at all, we're having a roughly equal amount of drinks.
The only difference I believe is, that the germans have made going out for a beer or five a cultural habit. In Bavaria especially (south of germany), you don't even have to take a pal with you for conversation - it's totally fine to sit down with complete strangers, and the most interesting conversations can derive from that. I love that!
Cheers,
Frank