Andre's Beer Consumption: A Curious Investigation

Andre the Giant, also known as Andre Rene Roussimoff, was a French professional wrestler with a legendary capacity for alcohol. His drinking exploits have been recounted by fellow wrestlers, celebrities, and journalists, with claims ranging from drinking 156 beers in one night to downing 12 bottles of wine in three hours. Andre's extraordinary drinking abilities were likely due to his large size, which was a result of gigantism or acromegaly, a rare glandular disease. While his exact consumption may be difficult to verify, his drinking stories have become a part of his larger-than-life legacy.

156 beers in one sitting

Andre the Giant, the Eighth Wonder of the World, was a man of legendary drinking ability. His alcohol consumption was so prodigious that it inspired awe in his fellow wrestlers and celebrities alike. One of the most famous stories of his drinking prowess involves the consumption of 156 beers in one sitting.

This feat, which was witnessed by fellow wrestlers Mike Graham and Dusty Rhodes, saw Andre down nearly 2,500 fluid ounces or just under 20 gallons of beer. To put that into perspective, it is the equivalent of about one keg, one 30-pack, and two cans of beer. This is an astonishing amount for any person to drink, but even more so when considering the average human stomach can only hold about a liter.

Andre's drinking abilities were not limited to beer alone. He was also known for his love of wine and liquor. On one occasion, he drank 12 bottles of wine in a three-hour bus ride, and he was known to enjoy cocktails such as "The American," which consisted of 40 ounces of various liquors poured into a pitcher. His drinking was often a way to cope with the pain caused by his size, as he suffered from acromegaly, a rare glandular disease that caused his body to overproduce growth hormones.

Despite his immense size, Andre's tolerance for alcohol was legendary, and he rarely appeared drunk or out of control. However, when he did get intoxicated, chaos could ensue. On one occasion, his drinking buddy Cary Elwes recounted how Andre, while drunk in New York City, fell on a man waiting for a cab and seriously hurt him. This incident led the NYPD to tail him with undercover cops whenever he was in the city.

Andre's drinking was not without consequences. He eventually quit due to his ballooning weight, which had reached 560 pounds at his heaviest. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 46 from heart failure, likely caused by the strain his condition put on his body. But his legendary drinking tales continue to be told, ensuring his larger-than-life presence lives on.

119 beers in six hours

Andre the Giant, the Eighth Wonder of the World, was a man of legendary drinking ability. His alcohol consumption was so prodigious that it inspired awe in his fellow wrestlers, actors, and celebrities. One of the most famous examples of his drinking prowess was when he consumed 119 12-ounce beers in six hours.

To understand the magnitude of this feat, it helps to break it down. Drinking 119 beers in six hours means that Andre the Giant was drinking a beer every three minutes, nonstop, for six hours straight. This drinking pace is truly astonishing and beyond what most people could even contemplate, let alone achieve.

After this marathon drinking session, Andre's legendary capacity for alcohol was finally reached. He passed out in a hotel lobby and could not be moved or roused by his companions. They resorted to covering him with a piano cover from the hotel lounge, allowing him to sleep undisturbed until morning.

Andre's drinking abilities were not limited to beer, however. He was also known for his love of wine and liquor. On one occasion, he drank 12 bottles of wine in a three-hour bus ride, and on another, he rang up a $40,000 bar tab at the Hyatt in London while filming "The Princess Bride." His go-to drink was called "The American," which consisted of 40 ounces of various liquors poured into a pitcher.

Andre's drinking was often tied to his wrestling career. He would drink copious amounts of alcohol to ease the joint pain caused by his size. His drinking was so well-known that when an anesthesiologist was unsure of how much anesthesia to give him, they calibrated the dose based on his alcohol consumption. When asked how much alcohol it took to get drunk, Andre replied that it usually took two litres of vodka just to feel warm inside.

Andre the Giant's drinking exploits have earned him a place in drinking folklore, with stories of his legendary capacity for alcohol continuing to be told and retold.

108 beers in 45 minutes

Andre the Giant, the legendary pro wrestler and Princess Bride star, was known for his colossal stature, standing at 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 500 pounds. But it wasn't just his physical size that was larger than life; his drinking abilities were just as impressive.

One of the most famous tales of Andre's drinking prowess involves him consuming an astonishing 108 beers in just 45 minutes. This incident took place during a layover at the Tampa airport, as recounted by his friend and fellow wrestler, Hulk Hogan. According to Hogan, he received a call from Andre, who informed him that he had a one-hour layover at the airport. Hogan drove to the airport and met Andre at the Delta Crown Lounge. With about 45 minutes before Andre's next flight, the two sat down, and Andre proceeded to drink 108 12-ounce (350ml) beers in that time frame.

This incredible feat of drinking is just one of many stories about Andre's extraordinary capacity for alcohol. He was known to have a high alcohol tolerance and often consumed vast quantities of beer, wine, and liquor. His drinking was not due to alcoholism but was instead a way to cope with the physical pain associated with his massive weight and the demands of his wrestling career.

In addition to his airport drinking record, Andre was also known for drinking 12 bottles of wine in a three-hour bus ride, downing 40 vodka tonics in one night, and even drinking an entire plane's stock of vodka on a trip to Japan, with the help of his colleague, Ric Flair.

While Andre's drinking may have contributed to his health struggles, including his congestive heart failure, it is also a testament to his larger-than-life personality and has become a legendary part of his legacy.

12 bottles of wine in three hours

Andre the Giant, also known as Andre Rene Roussimoff, was a professional wrestler and actor who stood at 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighed around 500 pounds. He was known for his incredible drinking abilities, consuming vast amounts of alcohol that would be dangerous for the average person. One of his most famous drinking feats was drinking 12 bottles of wine in just three hours during a bus ride in Japan.

On this particular occasion, Andre was travelling with fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan, who shared the story in a 2014 radio interview. Hogan recalled that he bought a case of Pouilly-Fuissé wine, which contained 12 bottles of strong white French wine. As they set off on the eight-hour bus ride, Hogan presented the wine to Andre as a birthday gift.

Three hours into the journey, Andre interrupted the bus ride, requesting a pit stop. Despite the short time frame, he had managed to drink all 12 bottles of wine. This impressive display of drinking was not unusual for Andre, who was known to consume vast quantities of alcohol on a regular basis.

In addition to his 12-bottle wine binge, Andre had several other notable drinking exploits. He once drank 119 12-ounce beers in a single sitting, which equates to a beer every three minutes for six hours straight. On another occasion, he drank 108 12-ounce beers in just 45 minutes while waiting for a flight during a layover. He also rang up a $40,000 bar tab at the Hyatt in London while filming "The Princess Bride," with his go-to drink being "The American," a concoction of 40 ounces of various liquors.

Andre's immense size, due to a condition called gigantism, allowed him to consume large amounts of alcohol. His friends and colleagues often watched in amazement as he drank copious amounts without seeming to be affected. Despite his legendary drinking abilities, Andre's consumption took a toll on his health, and he eventually quit drinking to manage his weight, which had reached 560 pounds.

$40,000 bar tab

Andre the Giant was a man of many talents, and drinking was one of them. Standing at 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 500 pounds, he was a force of nature with a superhuman ability to consume vast amounts of alcohol. While filming "The Princess Bride", Andre racked up a $40,000 bar tab at the Hyatt hotel bar in London. This was not an isolated incident, as he was known for his extravagant spending and generous attitude towards his drinking companions.

During his month-long stay in London, Andre's go-to drink was "The American", a concoction of 40 ounces of various liquors poured into a large pitcher. His drinking buddy and co-star Cary Elwes described the drink as "very potent", akin to "airplane fuel". Despite the strong nature of the drink, Andre would consume several pitchers in one sitting.

Andre's immense size, a result of gigantism, allowed him to absorb and tolerate large quantities of alcohol. His drinking prowess was legendary, and he was known as "The Greatest Drunk on Earth" by the humour magazine "American Drunkard". Fellow wrestlers and drinking companions often recounted tales of Andre's extraordinary drinking abilities with a mix of amazement and disbelief.

In addition to his drinking skills, Andre was also a successful professional wrestler and actor. He was the highest-paid wrestler in the business for two decades and drew massive crowds with his presence. Despite his success and fame, Andre's drinking was not always without consequences. His joint pain, caused by his condition, often led him to drink copious amounts of alcohol to ease his discomfort.

While Andre's drinking stories are certainly impressive, it is important to remember that his alcohol consumption was extreme and unique to his extraordinary size. Attempting to replicate his drinking feats would be dangerous and potentially deadly for most people.

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