Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney develop Wrexham empire with brewery takeover – however face the wrath of native social media star
A Wrexham FC superfan has hit out at Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after the pair bought the city’s brewery and left him out in the cold.
Social media personality Bootlegger – real name Karl Phillips – is understood to be furious after being left out of the takeover deal.
Phillips is known for being a superfan of the football club, also owned by the Hollywood duo, and has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers by sharing videos of his drinking antics and visits to Wrexham FC.
The brewery launched a collaborative beer named Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner in 2020, named after Phillips, which is available to buy in its shop and at some bars around Wrexham.
But earlier this year Phillips took to social media to accuse the brewery of failing to pay him for his part in the deal, turning up at the brewery and confronting staff.
Social media personality Bootlegger – real name Karl Phillips – is understood to be furious after being left out of the takeover deal
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are now co-owners of Wrexham Lager, alongside the Roberts family
The brewery fiercely disputed his claims, and said Phillips had been paid all his money to date – adding it would be holding a meeting with him to discuss any ongoing issues.
The brewery sponsors one of the stands at Wrexham FC’s stadium.
Now that the Hollywood duo – who have brought Wrexham FC to third place in League One having secured promotion twice – have taken over the brewery, it’s understood any previous deal with Phillips is off the table.
Responding to a social media user asking for his opinion on the takeover, Phillips responded: ‘Insisted I was removed so duck em mate.’
The brewery, which boasts the title of oldest lager brewery in Britain, having opened in 1882, will now be co-owned by Reynolds, McElhenney and previous owners the Roberts family.
In a statement announcing the takeover, a spokesperson for the brewery said: ‘This transaction represents another landmark deal for the Welsh town and will considerably scale up Wrexham Lager’s infrastructure and international production, distribution, and marketing efforts.’
The social media personality has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and is a Wrexham superfan
‘As Co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC we have learned a lot,’ Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds said in a statement.
‘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.’
James Wright, CEO of the Wrexham Lager Beer Co. Ltd added: ‘This is a brand with great heritage – the oldest lager brewery in Great Britain, once enjoyed across the world.
‘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.’
The actors announced their latest acquisition in a YouTube video in which neither of them spoke
It is the latest investment in the city for the pair, who have also raised their football team back to League One
The brewery also comes with a Wrexham Lager shop, where Phillips’ Pilsner was also sold
Keir Starmer visits Wrexham Lager in April 2021 as part of the Welsh Senedd election campaign
The actors now own a majority stake in Wrexham Lager (pictured) following the takeover
The actors, who now own a majority stake in the firm, announced their latest acquisition in a YouTube video – but unusually neither of them spoke.
They instead used telegraph keys, joking that the 1882 technology left them ‘literally speechless’.
Wrexham locals will be hoping the takeover has the same success as their beloved football team.
The team, bought for £2 million in 2021, were at the bottom of English football in the National League – tier five – at the time.
They returned to the Football League following a 15-year absence and were successful at getting promoted to League Two, and then League One on their first attempt.
They currently sit in third place in the league, behind Birmingham and Wycombe.
Wrexham Lager and Karl Phillips have been contacted for comment.
