Wrexham Lager
Wrexham Lager is a Welsh lager brand founded in 1881 and revived in 2011 using an older version of its historic recipe.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Wrexham Lager is a historic Welsh beer brand associated with Wrexham in north-east Wales. Its heritage begins in 1881, when German immigrants Ivan Levinstein and Otto Isler established the Wrexham Lager Beer Company to produce a lager resembling the beers of their homeland. Wrexham was selected partly for its water supply and terrain: the brewery site stood on elevated ground where underground cellars could help moderate temperature, while the nearby River Gwenfro provided an important source of brewing water. Brewing began in 1882, making the enterprise the first lager brewery in Wrexham, a town that already had a substantial brewing tradition. The company's early technical and commercial development was difficult. Maintaining sufficiently low temperatures was challenging, and the original company entered voluntary liquidation in 1886. Robert Graesser, a German immigrant and industrialist associated with the Cefn Mawr chemical works, acquired a majority interest and introduced mechanical refrigeration. Even with improved production conditions, local consumers remained more accustomed to ale than lager. The business therefore developed an export-oriented model, distributing beer through railway networks, shipping companies and the British Army. Historical accounts place Wrexham Lager in overseas markets by the late nineteenth century, including Khartoum in 1898. Its association with transport and maritime customers later contributed to the brand's connection with the White Star Line and the enduring popular belief that Wrexham Lager was served aboard RMS Titanic. Domestic sales gradually improved through tied-pub ownership. In 1922 the brewery acquired the Cross Foxes public house in Wrexham, and later obtained additional licensed premises, eventually controlling 23 pubs. The Second World War severely damaged the export business, and the company struggled to rebuild those markets after the war. Rising debt led to its acquisition by Ind Coope of Burton upon Trent. Ind Coope invested in modernization during the early 1960s, while subsequent corporate combinations brought Wrexham Lager into Allied Breweries and, after Allied's 1992 merger with the Danish Carlsberg group, Carlsberg-Tetley. The original brewery became increasingly vulnerable as the British brewing industry consolidated. Brewing was transferred from Wrexham to Leeds in 2000, and production ended there in 2002. The original brewery was subsequently demolished, although the historic brewery building that remained on the site was listed. The closure ended the brand's original manufacturing era but did not eliminate its name or local cultural significance. Wrexham Lager had sponsored Wrexham A.F.C., and supporters continued to use the brand's name in a football chant based on “Bread of Heaven.” The brand was revived by Mark and Vaughan Roberts after negotiations involving Martyn Jones, who had acquired the original name and building. The Roberts family worked with Ian Dale, the former brewing manager at the old plant, and sourced ingredients intended to reproduce an older formulation. New brewing equipment was obtained from the German manufacturer Kaspar Schulz. The revived lager became commercially available on 29 October 2011 at the Buck House Hotel in Bangor-on-Dee and subsequently expanded through pubs in Wrexham and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The modern brand has combined historical continuity with contemporary collaborations. In 2020 it introduced Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner with the vlogger known as Bootlegger. A payment dispute was publicly alleged by Bootlegger in 2024; Wrexham Lager responded that the collaborator had been paid up to date. In October 2024, Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture involving Wrexham A.F.C. owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and the Allyn family of New York, acquired a majority stake in the brewery. The investment was associated with plans to broaden distribution, including in the United States and Canada. Wrexham Lager therefore remains an active heritage beer brand whose identity is built around Welsh origin, German-influenced brewing, historic export trade, local football culture and renewed international ambitions.
History
Wrexham Lager was established in 1881 by German immigrants Ivan Levinstein and Otto Isler. The founders sought to reproduce a familiar German-style lager in Wrexham, where good water and a suitable elevated site offered advantages for brewing and cellar construction. The first beer was brewed in 1882. Temperature control proved difficult, however, and the original company entered voluntary liquidation in 1886. Industrialist Robert Graesser acquired a majority holding and introduced mechanical refrigeration. Local demand was initially weak because ale remained the dominant beer in the area. The brewery responded by pursuing export markets, using railways, shipping lines and military supply channels. By the end of the nineteenth century, Wrexham Lager had gained an international presence, with evidence of sales in locations including Khartoum. The brewery later expanded domestic distribution by acquiring tied public houses, beginning with the Cross Foxes in 1922 and eventually controlling 23 pubs. The Second World War caused the loss of important export markets. Post-war recovery was difficult, debt accumulated and Ind Coope acquired the business. Ind Coope modernized the brewery in the early 1960s. Wrexham Lager subsequently became part of Allied Breweries and then Carlsberg-Tetley following Allied's merger with Carlsberg in 1992. Brewing moved from Wrexham to Leeds in 2000 and ceased there in 2002. The original brewery was later demolished, although a remaining historic building on the site was listed. The brand returned in 2011 after Mark and Vaughan Roberts negotiated rights connected with the historic name and consulted Ian Dale, the former brewing manager. The revival used ingredients based on an older recipe and equipment supplied by Kaspar Schulz of Germany. The new beer was released at the Buck House Hotel in Bangor-on-Dee on 29 October 2011 and expanded through pubs in Wales and the wider United Kingdom. Wrexham Lager has retained a strong local association through its former sponsorship of Wrexham A.F.C. and its continued presence in supporter culture. In 2020 it extended the range through the Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner collaboration. A public dispute concerning alleged unpaid collaboration fees arose in 2024, followed by the brewer's statement that the account had been settled. In October 2024, Red Dragon Ventures acquired a majority stake in the brewery, linking the brand with Wrexham A.F.C.'s ownership group and plans to develop distribution in North America.
- 2024
Majority stake acquired by Red Dragon Ventures
[1]Red Dragon Ventures acquired majority ownership of the brewery associated with the brand.
- 2020
Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner introduced
[1]The revived brewer launched a collaborative pilsner with Bootlegger.
- 2011
Brand relaunched
[1]The Roberts family relaunched Wrexham Lager in Bangor-on-Dee using an older recipe profile.
- 2002
Original production ended
[1]Brewing in Leeds ceased, ending the original production period.
- 2000
Brewing moved to Leeds
[1]Production was transferred away from the original Wrexham brewery.
- 1992
Brand enters Carlsberg-Tetley structure
[1]Allied Breweries merged with Carlsberg, creating the Carlsberg-Tetley company that later operated the brewery.
- 1922
First tied public house acquired
[1]The brewery purchased the Cross Foxes in Wrexham, beginning a wider tied-house expansion.
- 1886
Graesser acquires a majority interest
[1]Robert Graesser took control and introduced mechanical refrigeration after the original company encountered financial and technical difficulties.
- 1882
First lager brewed
[1]Brewing began at the original Wrexham site.
- 1881
Wrexham Lager Beer Company founded
[1]Ivan Levinstein and Otto Isler established the company to brew a German-style lager in Wrexham.
Products and positioning
A heritage Welsh lager positioned around its nineteenth-century origin, German brewing influence, local Wrexham identity and modern revival.
Lager · 1882
Wrexham Lager
The core brand is a pale lager with roots in the German immigrant brewing tradition established in Wrexham in the 1880s. The modern version was revived in 2011 using ingredients selected to reflect an older recipe of the original beer. It is the central expression of the brand and is distributed through pubs and other channels in the United Kingdom, with later plans to expand international availability.
Pilsner · 2020
Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner
A collaborative pilsner launched in 2020 with the vlogger known as Bootlegger. The product extended Wrexham Lager's range beyond its core heritage lager and connected the brewery with a contemporary digital-media personality. The collaboration later became the subject of a public payment dispute in 2024, although the brewer stated that payments were current.
Controversies
2024
Bootlegger payment allegation
Bootlegger claimed that Wrexham Lager owed him money in connection with the collaboration. Wrexham Lager subsequently stated that he had been paid up to date. The available reference does not establish an independent resolution beyond the parties' conflicting public positions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner collaboration
United Kingdom
Wrexham Lager partnered with Bootlegger to create and launch a pilsner, using a digital creator collaboration to promote a contemporary product alongside the heritage range.
Outcome. The product was launched, but the collaboration later became associated with a public dispute over alleged unpaid fees.
Brand decisions
2024
Accept majority investment from Red Dragon VenturesM&ABackground
The brand was operating as a revived Welsh brewery with ambitions to increase distribution beyond the United Kingdom.
Action taken
Red Dragon Ventures acquired a majority stake in the brewery. The investment group included Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds and the Allyn family.
Aftermath
The new ownership planned to expand distribution, including into the United States and Canada.
2020
Launch Bootlegger 1974 PilsnerProduct launchBackground
The revived brand sought to broaden its product range and engage a contemporary audience.
Action taken
Wrexham Lager created a collaborative pilsner with Bootlegger.
Aftermath
The collaboration later produced a public disagreement concerning payment.
2011
Revive the Wrexham Lager brandProduct launchBackground
The original brewery had closed and production had ended after brewing moved to Leeds. Mark and Vaughan Roberts sought to restore the local brand.
Action taken
The revival team used ingredients based on an older recipe and acquired German brewing equipment before releasing the beer in Bangor-on-Dee.
Aftermath
The brand returned to pubs in Wrexham and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Recent events
- 2024
Red Dragon Ventures acquires majority brewery stake[1]
M&A
Red Dragon Ventures, involving Wrexham A.F.C. owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and the Allyn family, purchased a majority stake and indicated plans for wider distribution.
- 2020
Bootlegger 1974 Pilsner launched[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Wrexham Lager introduced a collaborative pilsner with the vlogger known as Bootlegger.
- 2011
Wrexham Lager revived after historic brewery closure[1]
Product launch
The Roberts family relaunched Wrexham Lager using ingredients based on an older formulation and newly sourced German brewing equipment.
Sources2 sources
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