Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy Wrexham Lager brewery after rejuvenating the city's football team
RYan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought another part of Wrexham – its brewery.
Four years after the unexpected purchase of the Wrexham football team, Hollywood celebrities have invested even more in the North Wales town by becoming co-owners of Wrexham Lager.
Wrexham Lager, one of the football team's sponsors, was founded in 1882 and is said to be the oldest British beer brewery still in existence.
The presence of Reynolds and McElhenney will boost Wrexham Lager's efforts to expand its international production and distribution.
“As co-chairs of Wrexham AFC, we have learned a lot,” Reynolds and McElhenney said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “The connection between the club and the community, the complexities of the offside rule and the occasional need for beer, especially after financial meetings.
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“Wrexham Lager has a 140-year-old recipe and storied history and we are excited to help write its next chapter.”
The brewery did not disclose financial details, but said Reynolds and McElhenney have a majority stake.
Wrexham Lager said the acquisition was made by New York-based Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by Reynolds and McElhenney and the Allyn family, which on Wednesday became a minority investor in the Wrexham football team.
Since taking over the club following a $2.5 million purchase in late 2020, Reynolds and McElhenney have overseen Wrexham's rise through English soccer's league system. Wrexham have achieved consecutive promotions and now play in the third tier League One, where the team is in third place after 13 matches.
Wrexham has been thrust further into the global consciousness thanks to Reynolds and McElhenney's launch of a spectacular television series – 'Welcome to Wrexham'. It has helped boost tourism and trade in the town, with Wrexham Lager among the businesses gaining visibility through the show.
Reynolds previously owned a stake in Aviation Gin, which was sold to Diageo in 2020 for $610 million. Diageo said Reynolds retained a “continuing ownership interest” in the gin.
The Roberts family, who revived Wrexham Lager in 2011 after production stopped in 2000, will remain co-owners of the brewery alongside Reynolds and McElhenney.
