[thatcat]

Some bacteria actually use dilute concentrations of ethanol as a substrate - acetobacter converts EtOH to acetate (vinegar). It's the concentration of 72% EtOH 28% h2o that bacteria can not protect against.

[jaggederest]

Also, more importantly, certain environmental toxins force maladaptation to the human body as a growth medium.

That is, anything that can live in a 40+% alcohol environment is also not going to find the human body hospitable.