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Welsh brewer faces backlash over Platinum Jubilee ale

06 May 2022 3 minute read
Felinfoel Platinum Jubilee Ale / The Queen (Credit: Wiki Commons)

A Welsh brewery has sparked a storm of criticism after producing a Platinum Jubilee Ale.

Felinfoel Brewery was inundated with complaints online after manufacturing the limited edition ale which marks the Queen’s Jubilee.

However, Wales oldest family brewery and the oldest canners of beer in the world, faced a backlash from hundreds of people who criticised the move, taking exception at the Welsh company’s support of the Royal Family.

In a post on Twitter which has prompted the backlash the brewer posted a picture of the Jubilee Ale with the words: ‘Here it is, our crowning glory! Get your hands on the limited edition Platinum Jubilee Ale. Available for purchase now, while stocks last.’

One user posted that it was Felinfoel’s ‘Ratner moment’ a reference to the time when Gerald Ratner, former chairman of jewellery chain Ratners, described one of its products as “total crap”. Others called for a boycott of the brewer, while one Twitter user user suggested ‘I guess stocks may last a while judging by the replies.’

(Many of those replies can be seen below)

The company has longstanding links with the Royals having produced an ale to mark Prince Charles investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

On its website in a section detailing the history of the brewery, it writes: ‘More recently we were delighted to welcome HRH Prince Charles to the brewery during his tour of Wales in July 2012.

‘He took a keen interest in the tour of the brewery and was shown the entire brewing process. We were able to show him the commemorative ale we brewed for his investiture’.

The brewery founded in 1878 is based in the village of Felinfoel, near Llanelli and owned by the Lewis family.

It produces such popular beers as Double Dragon – described as ‘the national ale of Wales’, Celtic Gold and Dragon’s Heart, which all trade on the company’s Welsh heritage.

Its limited edition Platinum Jubilee Ale is described as a ‘premium Welsh ale with a fruity flavour, a drink to be enjoyed’.

We have contacted Felinfoel for a comment.


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Llinos
Llinos
2 years ago

Can you stop trying to cancel people’s opinions? Actions have consequences. In this instance, people feel a brand which trades on being synonymous with Welshness has betrayed them with a genuflection to the archaic baubles of the oppressive regime.
Too often these days people feel entitle to behave poorly then when having to face the consequences they complain of being “cancelled”. Felinfoel are an established business. They knew this would be controversial and made their decision. Let the cards fall as they may.

Tomos Androw Bennett
Tomos Androw Bennett
2 years ago

That’s it! Never going to drink Felinfoel beer again. Goodbye!

Llinos
Llinos
2 years ago

Now if Brains breweries social media team were on the ball, they could benefit from this

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Llinos

Brains ? It’s all part of the Marston’s empire now so they are probably dreaming up something similar. Best go to a smaller niche brewer.

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago

Prince Andrew, and felinfoel, guilt by association.

Julie Jones
Julie Jones
2 years ago

Not another penny from me will be handed over to these sad sycophants.

Cynru
Cynru
2 years ago

U notice how anyone who disagrees with the messages (which are often negative rather than positive) is deleted from this platform. That’s also why plaid doesn’t make inroads. Negative messages

Llinos
Llinos
2 years ago
Reply to  Cynru

No I’ve not noticed that. They’ll delete sweary ones for sure or ones which are aggressive or confrontational. If yours are being removed, I’d check for that. The sweary ones go automatically so it’s most likely to be that.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

As Welsh people we must stop this blind deference towards the English Monarchy? I find it embarrassing to witness how some sycophants follow sheep-like others. Do they want to stand tall or prefer to crawl, is the question I ask? The idea of doffing ones cap while referring to them as “Your Royal Highness ” or “Your Majesty” makes my skin crawl. This is a woman & family that’s never lifted a finger in their entire for themselves without an army of advisors, publicists and servants either putting them in a good light, advising to front a charity or wiping… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Y Cymro
Dubdee
Dubdee
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Plenty of “benefit scroungers” who’ve “never lifted a finger” here in Wales too. Are you one?.

defaid
defaid
2 years ago
Reply to  Dubdee

The only presence those particular benefit scroungers have in Wales is Llwynywermod, Charlie’s holiday home.

Last edited 2 years ago by defaid
Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
2 years ago

How embarrassing, time for an independent Republic of Cymru

Pmb
Pmb
2 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Owen

Wales does not have an economy to do so and with the current approach from Plaid and Welsh Labour never will have .

CJPh
CJPh
2 years ago

Er gwaetha bob Dic Sion Dafydd…

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

A great brew im sure to celebrate her fine service and to recognise the end of an of an era and the start of a new one that suites our nations 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿emerging confident, inclusive pathway towards self determination.

Iechyd da a diolch ‘Mam’ 🍺 ac Ymlaen rwan at y cam nesa tuag at Cymru newydd fel Wlad Rhydd

Ann C
Ann C
2 years ago

What’s the harm? And what’s the big deal? People get silly dramatic on Twitter. If you’re not a royalist, don’t drink it. No need for a riot.

Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas
2 years ago
Reply to  Ann C

Agreed I’m for an independent Wales I’m not buying it personally but if the sales help a small Welsh brewery survive then so be it. I will also be enjoying the jubilee holidays with an opportunity to spend time with family not celebrating the royals as such just like an extra Christmas but without the nonsense

Llinos
Llinos
2 years ago
Reply to  Ann C

People have every right to feel betrayed. Brands have values these days. If they express a sentiment, people are likely to have views on it. It’s fallout from the post-truth age. When we don’t have facts and we can’t trust the information sources, we pick sides with those who align with us. It’s an unintended consequence, but a consequence nonetheless. I don’t drink. It makes no odds to me in this instance. But I will make purchasing decisions based on the stated values or political alignments of a company or it’s owner. And I make no apologies for it. And… Read more »

NOT Grayham Jones
NOT Grayham Jones
2 years ago

Im sure Felinfoel Brewery will be very happy with all of the negative publicity from the Nats who have nothing better to do in their lives. As they say there is no such thing as bad publicity- after all this has brought a previously unknown brand to the front pages of NC. Carry on lads

Rhosddu
Rhosddu
2 years ago

Doubt it. Anyway, Felinfoel is anything but “previously unknown”, but I accept that you wouldn’t know that.

Lee j
Lee j
2 years ago

Get a life

Lee j
Lee j
2 years ago

Get a life you anti English saddest

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago
Reply to  Lee j

Have another read of the article and see if you can find anything anti-English there. It’s about a Welsh brewery plugging a pro-royal family line for commercial reasons, and the reaction to their sycophancy from across the country.

Pmb
Pmb
2 years ago

What childish pathetic lives you lot must lead .

Phil
Phil
2 years ago

Sad to see both of my posts deleted. N.C. doesn’t like anything that goes against the idea of Premier Wales and nothing else matters.

Simon John
Simon John
2 years ago

Small minded racist people 🙄

Johnny Gamble
Johnny Gamble
2 years ago
Reply to  Simon John

Ok then Mr Know it all please tell me where a Racist comment has been made?

ProudBrit
ProudBrit
2 years ago

Well done Felinfoel. I am proud to be British and will be raising a glass of your excellent ale to Her Majesty, at the street party in my (Welsh) town to celebrate the platinum jubilee. Hopefully the small minded racists who posted negative comments will stay at home and nurse their imaginary grievances, as I have no desire to drink or socialise with people like that!

Johnny Gamble
Johnny Gamble
2 years ago
Reply to  ProudBrit

And Her Majesty will be well aware of the fact that you raised a glass 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago

There is nothing “racist” in the comments quoted in the article, unless the Royal Family are now their own race. The opinion in those comments is quite evdently that such forelock-tugging no longer sits comfortably with a wide cross-section of the Welsh public. Read the article again.

Lewychewy
Lewychewy
2 years ago

A handful of Welsh nationalists get offended by a company celebrating the Royal family. Why is this even news lol

Johnny Gamble
Johnny Gamble
2 years ago
Reply to  Lewychewy

What a pity Cymru didn’t follow Ireland’s example.They had the good sense to see this rubbish off their backs a Century ago.

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