Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have grown their Wrexham empire by adding a brewery to their ownership of the booming football club.

The famous pair have taken co-ownership of Wrexham Lager, which already sponsors Wrexham AFC and is said to be the oldest British lager brewery still in existence.

“Wrexham Lager has a 140-year-ancient recipe and a storied history and we’re enthusiastic to assist write its next chapter,” said the actors.

They joked that they had “learned a lot” from their football encounter: “The connection between club and throng, the intricacies of the offside rule and the occasional require for beer — especially after finance meetings.”

Wrexham AFC have soared since Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover for £2m in February 2021.

They have gone from the National League – the fifth tier of football – back into the Football League, after a 15-year absence. They won promotion from League Two at the first attempt and now stand third in League One.

The club owners announced their latest purchase in a YouTube video – where neither of them talk.

Instead, the pair communicated using telegraph keys, joking that the 1882 technology left them “literally speechless”.

In a nod to the brewery’s foundations, the caption read: “We’re now proud co-owners of Wrexham Lager, brewed since 1882, which is why we’re using 1882 technology.”

Deadpool actor Reynolds, and producer and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star McElhenney have charted the club’s advancement in the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham.

The pair were also honoured by Wrexham council with the liberty of the city in 2022.

James Wright, chief executive of Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, said having them on board would be “huge” for the business as it embarks on international expansion.

He added: “They have been doing wonders for the town of Wrexham and strongly distribute our thrill for once again seeing Wrexham Lager enjoyed in all the far-flung corners of the globe.”

The property was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint assignment formed by Reynolds and McElhenney and the recent York-based Allyn household.

The Roberts household, who have owned and operated the business since 2011, said they would maintain an energetic role within the business.