Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Hollywood stars and owners of Wrexham AFC, continue to expand their empire in the city by purchasing Wrexham Lager – said to be the oldest British lager brewery still in operation. They announced their co-ownership of the brewery with a nod to its 140-year-old recipe and history, adding that they were excited to help “write its next chapter.” This acquisition follows the purchase of the local football club for £2m in February 2021. The club made its way back to the Football League from the National League, a significant feat, after a 15-year absence.
In a YouTube announcement, the actor-producer duo communicated their message via telegraph keys, a reference to the brewery’s foundation in 1882, saying that they had learned much from their time in football, including the connection between club and community, the offside rule, and the importance of beer. The caption on the video read: “We’re now proud co-owners of Wrexham Lager, brewed since 1882, which is why we’re using 1882 technology.”
The co-owners’ involvement with the local football club and brewery has been praised, with James Wright, CEO of the Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, stating that the expansion would be huge for the business as they enter the global market. Reynolds and McElhenney, who starred in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, were granted the freedom of the city by Wrexham Council in 2022.
The Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by Reynolds, McElhenney and the New York-based Allyn family, was responsible for the investment in the brewery. Fans of Reynolds and McElhenney can chart the progress of Wrexham AFC in the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham.
The stars’ involvement with the brewery is expected to contribute to the growth of Wrexham Lager as it explores international expansion, a move motivated by the duo’s similar enthusiasm for seeing the brand enjoyed worldwide
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