He Won The Bet But Couldn’t Spend His Winnings

The Colonial Drinking Scene

Cyder Royal was a popular drink in Philadelphia colonial era taverns, writes Joseph J. Kelley in his excellent book, Life and Times in Colonial Philadelphia.

It was way more potent than normal hard cider because it was mixed with 80 proof applejack liquor.

Kelley writes: “In 1737, Thomas Apty walked into the Red Lion Inn in Elbow Lane and laid a wager of Half a Crown that he would drink within one hour and a half, a gallon of cyder royal; which he had no sooner accomplished and said ‘I have finished’ but he fell down and there expired.”

Kelley tells us that Apty was a plasterer by trade.