Felinfoel Brewery Beer Can

The building now known as Parc Howard Museum was once owned by a brewing family. However, one of the most significant objects in the collection was invented by a rival brewery, just a short distance north along the Felinfoel Road.

Felinfoel Brewery was established in 1878 by David John. Known for its fine ales, the brewery also holds a remarkable place in British history: it was the home of the UK’s very first canned beer.

On Tuesday 3 December 1935, Felinfoel Brewery made history by producing the first fully commercially scaled beer can outside the United States. This pioneering step not only transformed beer packaging in Britain, but also brought a much‑needed boost to Llanelli’s tinplate industry - an industry central to the town’s identity as ‘Tinopolis’ and a major local employer.

David John had diversified earlier in his career by purchasing tinworks in Bynea and Dafen, and was already exploring innovative uses for tinplate. His interest in new food and drink packaging solutions led to the development of the first beer cans in Britain.

A New Way to Package Ale

The earliest Felinfoel cans were cone‑topped, a clever design choice that allowed the brewery to use its existing bottling machinery. The first cans appeared in a cream colour, soon replaced by the bold red design proudly featuring the Felinfoel dragon.

The arrival of canned beer was hailed as a revolution in distribution. Sturdy and lightweight, cans could be transported without the risk of breakage - something that glass bottles could not guarantee.

Each 10oz (approx. 280g) can of pale ale held roughly the same amount as a half‑pint bottle, though they were much smaller than the cans we’re familiar with today. Early drinkers were cautious at first, worried that the metal might affect the taste. This concern was quickly resolved with the introduction of a tin‑wax coating inside the can, which protected the flavour and helped canned beer sales soar.

A Legacy Still Brewing

Felinfoel Brewery continues to produce ales today and still sells canned beer worldwide. An example of one of the very first Felinfoel beer cans is proudly displayed in Parc Howard Museum as part of our Llanelli Stories exhibition. Alongside it, visitors can explore further brewery‑related objects, including items from Felinfoel’s historic rivals, Buckley’s Brewery.