Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Drinking alcohol can fatten your pay check, according to a Reason Foundation study published in the Journal of Labor Research.

Men who visit a bar at least once a month to drink socially bring home 7 percent more pay than abstainers, and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than non-drinkers, according to the study by economists Bethany Peters and Edward Stringham.

``Social drinking builds social capital,'' Stringham, a professor at San Jose State University, said in a press release. ``Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks.''

The report, published in Los Angeles, questions the economic effects of anti-alcohol legislation at sports stadiums and festivals.

``Instead of fear-mongering we should step back and acknowledge the proven health and economic benefits that come with the responsible use of alcohol,'' Stringham said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Robin Stringer in London at rstringer@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: September 15, 2006 06:28 EDT