While Foster’s is planning to slash its product lines by 20%—most of it within the wine portfolio—it continues to invest in the premium beer market with the launch of two new beers under the Crown Lager brand.

The introduction of Crown Pilsner and Crown Gold, a mid-strength beer, is the first time the brand has been extended since 1919 when Crown was first brewed.

Crown Pilsner will soon be available in selected bars and restaurants and sell for up to $2 more than the original Crown Lager. Crown Gold is to be sold in bottle shops in northern NSW, Western Australia and Queensland, which are considered the biggest markets for mid-strength beer, a category currently dominated by Lion Nathan’s XXXX Gold.

Earlier this week Foster’s new MD of Australia, Asia and Pacific, Jamie Odell, said the brewer was forging ahead with plans to cull underperforming products by up to 20%—most of it within the wine portfolio.

Foster’s also has plans to revitalise the Victoria Bitter brand—Australia’s top selling beer, generating more than $1bn in sales a year. Story courtesy ofhttp://www.bandt.com.au/