Plans have been revealed for a major expansion of a historic beer brand owned by Hollywood duo and owners of Wrexham AFC, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney). The duo became co-owners of Wrexham Lager in 2024, but now new plans have been submitted by the local council to create a new brewery, taproom, and museum. Better still, the new development is not too far for Mancs to visit once complete, as Wrexham is just over an hour away from Manchester – who knows, you might bump into the actors whilst you’re there!
The new Wrexham Lager brewery will be an “attractive welcome” to the city
The proposed development, which is part of the Wrexham Gateway regeneration masterplan, would also feature a restaurant and public spaces. The former Jewson warehouse site, close to Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse stadium, which Reynolds and Mac have helped transform since 2020, would be redeveloped under the plans.
Wrexham’s Jewson outlet occupies the site of the former Cambrian Ironworks, which hosted an ammunition factory in the First World War and afterwards produced motorcycles. The factory even had its own football team.
Reynolds and Mac’s involvement in the city has already sparked a tourism boom, and according to the planning application, this new venue is intended to provide an “attractive welcome” to Wrexham. The planning application for the new Wrexham Lager brewery, taproom and museum was submitted earlier this month, and a decision date is yet to be confirmed.
Brewing in Wales since 1882
Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Great Britain, has been brewing in Wales since 1882. The beer was famously served on board the Titanic and in the past few years has expanded to be sold in major supermarkets in the UK, as well as exported across the world to countries like Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada.
In October 2024, it was announced that Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds would become new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family. The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham football club.