November 12, 2025
From Everclear to Andre the Giant: Alcohol Facts to Toast To
Today's the day, folks - National Happy Hour Day! The sacred time when coworkers, friends, and total strangers gather to celebrate the glorious tradition of sipping something strong and shaking off the day. Whether you prefer a cold beer, a fancy cocktail, or a cheap bottle of wine that "tastes better after the second glass," today's the perfect excuse to toast to all things alcohol. So grab a drink (responsibly, of course), and let's pour out some random boozy facts you probably didn't know.
The Strongest Drink in the World
Ever wonder what the world's most potent drink is? That title goes to Everclear, a grain alcohol sitting at a jaw-dropping 95% ABV (190 proof). It's basically liquid fire in a bottle. Just one shot could knock down a small horse-figuratively speaking. It's banned in several states for obvious reasons. If you ever see it behind the bar, consider it more of a chemistry experiment than a beverage.
If that's not enough, a Polish vodka called Spirytus Rektyfikowany also clocks in at 96% ABV. Some say it's smoother. Others say it's just a faster way to forget what day it is.
The World's Booziest Country
When it comes to total alcohol consumption, the Czech Republic leads the world-averaging about 181 liters of beer per person per year. That's roughly one pint every single day, per citizen. Even the grandmas are probably sipping pilsners before dinner.
But if we're talking about liquor, Moldova and Belarus are heavy contenders. In those countries, vodka might as well be a food group.
The Longest Happy Hour in History
Happy hour might last 60 minutes at your local bar, but in Las Vegas, time doesn't really exist. One casino tried to make "the world's longest happy hour" by offering drink specials for 24 hours straight. Technically, that's just "day drinking," but we'll allow it.
The Heaviest Drinker (Allegedly)
No list of drinking legends would be complete without Andre the Giant. The 7'4", 500-pound wrestling icon was said to have the tolerance of a small army. He once reportedly downed 119 beers in six hours. Do the math-that's nearly 20 an hour. Bartenders still whisper about him in reverence.
The Oldest Cocktail
The first known cocktail ever recorded was the Sazerac, dating back to the 1830s in New Orleans. It was made with brandy, absinthe, bitters, and sugar-basically rocket fuel for gentlemen in top hats.
Random Pour of Trivia
* The term "toast" came from an old custom of dropping a piece of spiced bread into wine to improve its flavor.
* Beer is one of the oldest prepared beverages-dating back to at least 5,000 B.C.
* There's a fear of running out of alcohol called "dipsomania." (We've all been there on a Sunday night.)
* The strongest beer ever brewed? "Snake Venom" from Scotland, at 67.5% ABV. You sip it more like whiskey than beer.
* The phrase "happy hour" started in the U.S. Navy in the 1920s, as a period of entertainment to break up the monotony at sea.
So whether you're cracking open a beer, shaking up a martini, or sticking with a club soda and lime, raise your glass today. Happy Hour isn't just about the drinks-it's about the stories, the laughs, and the questionable decisions that make for great tales later.
Factoid of the Day
If You Saved $1,000 A Day Since The Birth Of Jesus, You'd Still Have Less Money Than Elon Musk
Here's to National Happy Hour Day-the most wonderful hour of the year. Cheers!
So next time you look in the mirror, remember: your body isn't just alive. It's haunted - by the billions of tiny lives living on you, the pieces of yourself you've shed, and the ghost of who you used to be.
Until next time,
Randy at Random Facts
Always Random. Never Boring