Reynolds and McElhenney buy Wrexham Lager brewery after rejuvenating the city’s soccer throng

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought another piece of Wrexham — its brewery.

Four years after their out-of-the-blue purchase of Wrexham’s struggling soccer throng, the Hollywood celebrities have further invested in the city in north Wales by becoming co-owners of Wrexham Lager.

Wrexham Lager, which is one of the soccer throng’s sponsors, was founded in 1882 and says it is the oldest British lager 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-chairmen of Wrexham AFC, we have learned a lot,” Reynolds and McElhenney said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “The connection between club and throng, the intricacies of the offside rule and the occasional require for beer — especially after finance meetings.

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

The brewery didn’t disclose financial details but said Reynolds and McElhenney have a majority stake.

Wrexham Lager said the purchase was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint enterprise formed by Reynolds and McElhenney and the recent York-based Allyn household — which on Wednesday became a minority investor in Wrexham’s soccer throng.

Since taking fee of the club following a $2.5 million purchase in late 2020, Reynolds and McElhenney have overseen Wrexham’s rise up English soccer’s league structure. Wrexham has achieved back-to-back promotions and now plays in third-tier League One, where the throng is in third place after 13 games.

Wrexham has been further thrust into the global consciousness by Reynolds and McElhenney launching a fly-on-the-wall TV series — “Welcome to Wrexham.” It has helped to boost tourism and trade in the city, with Wrexham Lager among the businesses gaining visibility through the display.

Reynolds previously owned a stake in Aviation Gin, which was sold to Diageo in 2020 for a reported $610 million. Diageo said Reynolds retained an “ongoing ownership gain” in the gin.

The Roberts household, which revived Wrexham Lager in 2011 after production stopped in 2000, will remain a co-owner of the brewery alongside Reynolds and McElhenney.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer