I personally would promote eating between meals, ensuring each meal is balanced and nutritious (not snacky crap). Eating lesser, regular meals would help increase ones metabolism.
Giving up beer sounds like my idea of hell. Would be my last resort! I'd rather get up at 6 am every day for a run and go vegan.
Next time you plate up your dinner take a good look at it. Take off 1/3 of your 'starchy' carbs - pasta/rice/potatoes and replace it with extra vegetables. I usually cook an extra portion of veg and use that and the extra carbs for my lunch the next day.
I eat what I like, drink what I like, take reasonable amount of exercise, but NEVER eat between meals.