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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney become Wrexham Lager co-owners
The pair, who are also majority owners of football club Wrexham AFC, acquired the brewery through Red Dragon Ventures, which is a joint venture formed by their R.R. McReynolds Company, along with minority investors the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York.
Meanwhile, the Roberts family, who have owned and operated the business since 2011, will maintain an active role within the business, overseeing quality control across all markets, local brewery operations and community engagement.
Currently, the brewery produces the 4% ABV Wrexham Lager, 5% ABV Wrexham Lager Export and the recently introduced 4.6% ABV Pilsener.
Wrexham Lager has recently secured listings for the brand in Australia, Japan and Scandinavia, while it has expanded its presence across Wales with Sainsbury’s and Asda.
Brewery with a ‘storied history’
“As co-chairs of Wrexham AFC we have learned a lot,” said McElhenney and Reynolds, who have boosted awareness of the team and the town through the documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
They continued: “The connection between club and community, the intricacies of the offsides rule and the occasional need for beer – especially after finance meetings. Wrexham Lager has a 140-year-old recipe and a storied history and we’re excited to help write its next chapter.”
Recently appointed CEO James Wright will continue to lead the business under the new owners.
“This is a brand with great heritage – the oldest lager brewery in Great Britain, once enjoyed across the world,” Wright said.
“So, to have Rob and Ryan onboard as we embark on international expansion is huge for us. They have been doing wonders for the town of Wrexham and strongly share our passion for once again seeing Wrexham Lager enjoyed in all the far-flung corners of the globe.”
Shortly after his appointment in 2023, Wright discussed his plans for the brewery during an extensive interview with Food Manufacture at trade show BlasCymru / TasteWales.
