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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy into Wrexham brewery

31 October 2024 By Louis Thomas

After their high profile purchase of Wrexham’s football club, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have now acquired a majority stake in local brewery Wrexham Lager.

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A post shared by Rob McElhenney (@robmcelhenney)

Reynolds and McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC, now in EFL League One, in 2020, with the high profile investment in the Welsh football club becoming the subject of FX documentary Welcome to Wrexham. During their time at the club, the duo has seen Wrexham AFC enjoy two successive programmes, as well as considerable media interest in the North Welsh club.

Four Walls, the whiskey brand which McElehnney co-owns with his It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-stars, is an official sponsor of the club, and now there may be another drinks brand in the mix.

Founded in 1882 by German Immigrants Ivan Levinstein and Otto Isle, Wrexham Lager was previously under the ownership of Carlsberg before then being acquired by Martin Jones, who worked at the brewery until 1987, when he became MP for Clwyd South (serving until 2010). Jones revived the brewery, which had ceased operations in 2000, in 2011, procuring its rights for £1.

In a statement sent to Associated Press, Reynolds and McElhenney said: “As co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC, we have learned a lot. The connection between club and community, the intricacies of the offside 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,” they continued.

A social media video featuring the pair played on the long history of the brewery, with Reynolds and McElhenney sharing the message via telegram: