Foster's was created by two Irish American brothers, William M and Ralph R Foster, who arrived in Melbourne from New York in 1886.[5] The brothers began brewing Foster's Lager in November 1888.[1] It was made available to the public from February 1889.[1] The product was first exported in 1901, when bottles were sent to Australian combatants in the Boer War.[6]
In 1907 the company merged to form Carlton United Breweries.[5] Only available in bottles, Foster's Lager was considered to be CUB's premium brand.[5]
In 1958 steel cans were introduced.[7]
Foster's Lager was first imported into the UK in 1971.[4] It was launched in the US in 1972.[4]
From 1981, the brand was brewed under licence in the UK by the Courage brewing group.[5] Courage was acquired in 1986 by Australian businessman John Elliott. Perceiving the increasing popularity of imported Foster's Lager, it was decided to commence local brewing of the product by Courage. The size of the locally produced Fosters cans was increased to the "standard" UK cans of 440 ml.