I remember reading somewhere that the RN used plain "fresh" water so the sailors had to drink it immediately, rather than saving up their "tot's" for a drunk. Another benefit was that the Captian could be sure the men were getting their vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
This was also the origin of the term "Limey" in reference to the English.
Another bit of English drinking trivia, The idea of the "Sundowner", What we refer to as Gin and Tonic, comes from the days of British colonies in the far East where Malaria was common.
Medical Officers found that a daily dose of Quinine would prevent the disease, the problem was that quinine tastes awful, so Gin was added to cover the taste.
Since every one in the colony was required to take their daily dose it became a daily social occasion when people would get together at the end of the day.