Been a CH for 12 years now.  Started my every-two-years cycle almost two weeks ago.  If past experience is anything to go by, I've got 1-2 more weeks to go.  It's been pretty mild so far, I've learned to grab some caffeine and 1/3-1/2 of a 100mg imitrex as soon as shadows start, and that usually keeps it from progressing beyond the nagging shadow level, so the HAs have only gotten out of control a couple of times so far. 
Alcohol is, as for most it seems, a guaranteed hit.  People ask me if I'd like a beer, and I have to explain that the hit it will produce is not even remotely worth the headache it will produce.  However, I'm hosting a party next weekend, and it usually involves alcohol consumption.  Plus, after a couple of weeks of the stress of the cycle, it would be nice to have a few drinks and relax with friends.
So my question is, if I pop say a 100mg imitrex beforehand, will that fend off the alcohol hit?  I know I could just try it myself beforehand, but I fear the hit so much that I don't want to be the guinea pig myself...

It never helped me

One of the highest levels of agreement around here is: when in a cycle, NO alcohol! Even folks who are on an effective preventive med (you didn't mention using one, by the way??) don't test the gods on this one.

Can offer one possibility, if you wish to run a pre-party test: study out of Germany some years ago reported that all distilled spirits and red wine would trigger an attack when we are in an active cycle--white wine the exception. (No explanation offered but I suspect it's reflects the extraordinary chemical complexity of red wine.)

Hey Greg, I'll do you a favour free for nothing. Send me the beer and I'll drink it for you during the party while sending constant updates on what a great time you're having.

No need to thank me. It's part of the service.

No need to stress the 'no alcohol' rule with me - I found that out the hard way during my first couple of cycles, before I found a neurologist and got diagnosed. And using the 'beer test' when I think a cycle has ended has never failed to prove it one way or the other. 
However, like I said, this cycle has been mild in comparison to past years, so last night I threw caution to the wind and gave it a go.  Popped a 50mg sumatriptan tab and drank four bud lights over the course of a couple of hours, amazingly, to no ill effects.  Obviously not enough to draw any real conclusions, but I think I'll see how the week goes and probably give it another shot next weekend.  :-)
Thanks for the offer aussiebrian, i can't actually send you any beer but you're still welcome to join me in spirit :-)

I gave up beer after my second cycle 17 years ago and haven't touched any since. The smell makes me think of the beast and that's enough to make me order a iced tea rather I'm in or out of cycle.

Don't!

Quote:

I know I could just try it myself beforehand, but I fear the hit so much that I don't want to be the guinea pig myself...

Guiniea pig now or guniea pig later. Either way its a dumb move.