In 1969, the United States Brewers Association (USBA) was faced with a medical problem that affected some of its constituent members. Since a member of the USBA's Board of Directors was also a trustee of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, a meeting was arranged between USBA representatives and Johns Hopkins. That event led to the creation of the Medical Advisory Group (MAG), which became the ABMRF years later. ABMRF and its predecessor organizations have attempted to delineate, with the support of scientific evidence, differences between the effects of alcohol use and alcohol abuse, with the intent that individuals can make informed choices about their alcohol consumption. The progress of this effort is presented in five parts. Part 1 addresses the establishment of the MAG and its activities from 1969 to 1981. During this period, a small group of advisors formed the nucleus for the ABMRF. Part 2 reports on the events leading to the creation of the ABMRF as a joint U.S.-Canadian effort and the subsequent expansion of the research support program. Part 3 focuses on the 19 international medical conferences held since 1972, which were designed to review the body of research on alcohol problems. Part 4 provides a more detailed description of research achievements that flowed in whole or in part from ABMRF support. Part 5 reviews changes in personnel and approaches during the 22 years covered by this history. 8 appendixes with supplementary information and a subject index