Beer Review - Wrexham Lager

 

"Wrexham Lager"

I’m Between Pints and Between Disney, and sometimes I wonder how I can bring my theme park experiences home. One of those activities I engage in is consuming media on Disney’s streaming platforms. Being a Deadpool fan and a sports fan, but not soccer (football to some of you), I still find myself watching Welcome to Wrexham. Sure, it’s no Ted Lasso, but much like mustached Kansan, they do a solid job showing only the soccer plays that matter instead of the 87 minutes of running back and forth.

From the beginning of Wrexham, “Wrexham Lager” has been front and center as a beer option that those who support the Red Dragons. And I wondered if I would ever be able to sample one, as it seemed like it would also be a Welsh regional-only brew. Then, in 2024, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased a majority stake in this brewery. And we all know what this means…world domination! I would soon be able to sample a Wrexham pint.

Wrexham Lager was founded in 1882 by two German immigrants in Wrexham. And as we know, Lager is a bit of a German specialty. In the early 1900s, “Wrexham Lager” was globally exported and was the only lager on the RMS Titanic. But in the 20th century, other brands grew, tastes changed, the city of Wrexham hit an economic decline, and in 2002, “Wrexham Lager” ceased to be brewed. But in 2011, a former employee bought the brand for a pound, and restarted brewing “Wrexham Lager” as a homate and hope for a better Wrexham. Which, of course, leads us to 2024, when Hollywood invested in the brewery and made it famous globally on Disney streaming. And suddenly, there’s an announcement that it will be imported to the U.S.

“Wrexham Lager” is categorized as a pale lager, with the can noting it is subtly hopped. It also states that it’s been brewed since 1882, but we also know that it did take a sabbatical. It has a crushable 4% ABV with just 11 IBUs. I found it to be clean, with some hop flavor that was pleasant on top of the beer flavor of beer. I liked it for a lager, which is not my preferred style. But if I needed to select a lager, it would be something I would consider if I had everything else on the list. I could easily see this tall can being a lightly hopped refreshment for a hot day or a sporting event.

And this should be good, since it’s from a respected American craft brewery! The can also states that this liquid was brewed at DESTIHL in Normal, Illinois. DESTIHL is a brewery I best know for some really solid hoppy IPAs and some crowd-pleasing barrel-aged imperial stouts. DESTHIL’s motto is “Support Flavor. Boycott Bland.” And I would say even in this contract brewing situation, they are living up to their promise. But if you are drinking “Wrexham Lager” in the United States, just remember it’s an import brand made in the U.S., not shipped from across the ocean directly from Wrexham and the pitch…much like many other big-name import brands.

Who Drinks This? Honestly, I think if you like lagers, this is definitely worth your time. It’s not priced outrageously, and the hop is showcased well without becoming an IPA. It can also be a fun add-on to binge-watching Welcome to Wrexham on a Disney-owned streamer and having a fun day of learning more about the Wrexham community. I just wonder in a time of Deadpool global domination, I wonder how long before this lager shows up in a Disney park?