alcohol | The Selvedge Yard

Andre the Giant had an enormous appetite for love, life– and apparently, alcohol. Lots of it. The stories of his consumption are legendary and honestly– almost unbelievable. They’re also well-circulated too, so I’m sure I’m not telling you anything that you didn’t already know. Andre, I raise my glass– Here’s to you, my friend. You big lovable French wrestling legend drinker guy, you.

I think I’d be inclined to drink too, if I knew I’d never live anything that even remotely resembled a normal life. What if you’re a guy like Andre and just want to have a nice little family with 2.5 kids and some rabbits, and lead a quiet, simple existence? Yeah, well you’re totally screwed buddy– that’s what. It ain’t gonna happen. The world wants its freak show.

They say that Andre had a lot of emotional and physical pain that he was masking with his drinking. Now that you explain it like that, I totally understand the whole “119 beers in six hours” thingy. Comfortably numb. Seriously, all us guys know exactly why Andre would pull a stunt like that– because he could.

French wrestler Andre Rene Roussimoff, best known as “Andre the Giant” during a Paris fashion exhibition. At 19, Andre reportedly stands 7 feet and 4 inches tall –1966.

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For a lot of us, one of the most exciting milestones in our lives is when we reach that magical age when we’re finally old enough to buy and consume alcohol– and step foot into a bar for the first time. America has a longtime love affair with drinking and bars– alcohol seems to be the magic elixir for all our worries, and the hazy comfort of a favorite bar can be like collagen for our souls. Just seeing all the shiny glasses & colorful bottles lined-up and ready for business is comforting, and seems to put all things in order. I am not what you’d call a frequent bar patron anymore– family and priorities have other plans, which is just fine with me. But when I do get an hour or two to unwind with a friend and a cold one, maybe even catch a great game too– it’s a very special time to relish.