who said when i'm in new england, i drink cider. when i'm in philadelphia, i drink beer.?

John Adams is credited with a similar quote on preferring Philadelphia beer over cider.
The exact phrasing "when I'm in New England, I drink cider. when I'm in Philadelphia, I drink beer" appears to be a modern paraphrase or folk rendition of Founding Father John Adams' words. Historical records show Adams favored New England cider for health but switched to Philadelphia beer during his time there.

Original Quote

Adams wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail: "I drink no cider, but feast on Philadelphia beer." This captures his regional drinking habits during the late 1700s, when he served in Congress in Philadelphia. Cider was his daily staple in Massachusetts—a "large tankard" before breakfast—but Philly's brews won him over.

Historical Context

• Adams viewed cider as medicinal, claiming it promoted health and longevity over wine or spirits; he lamented its decline at Harvard.

• In Philadelphia, away from home comforts, he indulged in local beer, reflecting colonial America's vibrant brewing scene.
• Letters reveal his longing for New England cider abroad ("I would give three guineas for a barrel"), yet Philly beer held special appeal.

Quote Evolution

The user's version likely stems from storytelling adaptations in books, blogs, and forums. Great-grandson Charles Francis Adams popularized the "morning cider" habit in 19th-century histories, blending family lore with diaries. Online discussions, like Reddit's cider threads, riff on it humorously without pinning the exact words. No verbatim match exists in primary sources, but Adams' sentiments align closely.

Modern Relevance

In January 2026, with craft cider and beer booming, Adams' quote trends in mixology forums and history podcasts, tying into "local drinking" vibes. It's featured in cider blogs praising his "cyder" advocacy.

TL;DR: John Adams said a close version— "I drink no cider, but feast on Philadelphia beer"**—not the exact modern phrasing, but spot-on in spirit.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.