Does alcohol play a role in gerd?

Yes.: It is one of many substances that increase or cause gerd by opening the lower esophageal sphincter.

Yes: The three major contributors to gastroesophageal reflux disease or gerd are 1) smoking cigarettes, 2) being overweight and 3) use of alcohol. Alcohol also increases the likelihood of barrett's esophagus, which is the result of chronic acid damage to the cells lining the lower esophagus, which can ultimately have malignant transformation and become cancerous (although this is rare).