Kava's nice but getting the desired effects can be a bit hit-or-miss. It's milder and more of a clearheaded serene/sedate effect, tastes like dirt-water, and can be a bit expensive, about on par with craft beers. But it's non-toxic, non-caloric, and non-addictive. I enjoyed kava for quite awhile before quitting after realizing that it was exacerbating my seasonal allergies (it seems to have a pro-histaminergic side effect). For awhile it totally filled the glass-of-wine-or-beer-to-unwind-at-home niche (I actually think its effects are superior for that purpose), though I still drank/drink alcohol in social situations.