How far is too far when it comes to drinking alcohol?

Why does the Bible praise the effects of alcohol? How are we supposed to know when those effects have gone too far? I am mostly confused about this verse: > Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto > those that be of heavy hearts. **Proverbs 31:6** Phrases like "*wine that maketh glad the heart of man*" (**Psalm 104:15**) and "*wine, which cheereth God and man*" (**Judges 9:13**) seem to suggest that it's okay to seek the light pre-drunkenness that comes with alcohol. Does this mean it is okay to get tipsy? How far is too far in the merry-making associated with wine in the Bible?