Just curious if a small amount of alcohol can be helpful or whether it should always be avoided prior to expected sexual encounters?
It could. Alcohol is a vasodilatator, it helps blood vessel deconstrict. Blood might flow more easily; ever got a half boner from peeing in a bar’s toilets after two beers?
Alcohol in moderate doses might (MIGHT) also help with some anxiety and letting loose. Too much and you’ll be hammered and unfunctional anyway. It’s all very individual here.