Foster's Lager
From Free net encyclopedia
Foster's Lager is an internationally-distributed, Australian brand of beer. It is brewed under license in 7 countries, namely Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Spain and Sweden.
In April 2006, Scottish & Newcastle plc announced that it has agreed to acquire the Foster’s brand in Europe (including Turkey), the Russian Federation and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (“CIS”) from Foster’s Group Limited for approximately £309 million.
Foster's Lager uses the slogan "The Amber Nectar" in Australia and the UK and "Australian for Beer" elsewhere overseas. The overseas advertising of the product often milks the Australian connotations of the beer, often with stereotypical Australian imagery such as kangaroos, exaggerated accents, and hats with corks on strings.
While popular in many countries, particularly where it is brewed locally, Foster's Lager can be difficult to find in Australia. It competes with a large number of other "local beers" (low-cost and mass-produced varieties) usually depending on state, for example XXXX, Tooheys, Coopers, West End, Swan, Emu Bitter or Victoria Bitter.
Foster's first arrived in the UK with Paul Hogan proclaiming it tasted 'like an angel crying on your tongue'. We think he meant it was a pretty good brew and you still obviously agree - Brits drink over 30 pints of the Amber Nectar every second. Nowadays you don't have to go to your local to enjoy a pint, Foster's is available in bottle and can too.
In the words of Australia's own Mr Hogan - 'Ripper'.
Foster’s worldwide volumes amounted to approximately 9 million hectolitres in 2005. S&N is responsible for approximately 82 per cent. of the total worldwide sales of Foster’s by volume, the majority of which is sold in the UK (approximately 7 million hectolitres). In the last three years, sales growth by volume has averaged 6 per cent. in the UK and 15 per cent. in Continental Europe (including the Russian Federation), outperforming overall beer sales in both these markets.
The Foster's brand is also used in Australia on several other beers, notably Foster's Light Ice, a low-alcohol lager. The distinctive "Oil Can" design was the brainchild of Foster's Group Marketing VP Jack McKimm. Other company higher-ups proposed a jumbo glass bottle, but a spirited demonstration involving an old-timey oil can spout sold them on the idea. The distinctive can design has become synonymous with Foster's Lager.
A popular Internet joke appeared in the late 1990s that it was possible to make LSD from 8 cans of Foster's beer. Various recipies still exist on the net, and the joke is sometimes taken seriously today. It is completely impossible to create LSD from Foster's beer.