Bringing together a wealth of history, Foster's Group is the union of some of the world's best-loved premium beverage companies.
Foster's roots are firmly entrenched in the late 19th century. In 1876, Jacob Beringer established Beringer Vineyards in the Napa Valley and in 1888, the first Foster's Lager was brewed and the original Mildara Winery was established.
In 1907, to help cut costs in the wake of a long economic recession in Australia, the Foster's Brewing Company and Carlton Brewery amalgamated with four other breweries to form Carlton and United Breweries (CUB).
Throughout the twentieth century, the various entities that would eventually form Foster's Group expanded through acquisition and brand development to become leading beverage companies in their markets. Carlton and United Breweries became a brewing icon in Australia through the production of much loved brands such as Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught and Crown Lager and established Foster's Lager as one of the world's top selling beers.
Mildara Wines and Beringer Wine Estates expanded their portfolios through the launch and acquisition of premium brands such as Jamieson's Run, Saltram Wine Estates and Yellowglen for Mildara; and Meridian, St Clement and Stags' Leap for Beringer.
Wolf Blass Wines was established in the Barossa Valley in 1966 and merged with Mildara in 1991 to form Mildara Blass. Foster's acquired Mildara Blass in 1996 heralding their entry into the wine industry for the first time.
In 2001, Mildara Blass merged with Beringer Wine Estates to form Beringer Blass Wine Estates, the world's first truly global premium wine company.
The sale of non-core parts of the business including Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group and the Lensworth property division in 2003 and 2004 respectively marked Foster's shift to a pure multi-beverage organisation - a key strategy for the future.
In 2005, Foster's Group announced the creation of the world's leading premium wine business and Australia's leading multi-beverage business with the acquisition of Australian wine company, Southcorp.
