Strike Bros. formed on 24th September 1878 when following the collapse of the George Strike and George Saunders (Strike Saunders & Co.) partnership.

George's brother, William arrived in Wellington from Greymouth, where he was employed as a brewer. Strike Brothers were the first Wellington manufacturers to make use of the much-admired green Codd patent, which was presumably used to differentiate their bottles from their competitors. The Strike Brothers factory was located on Argyle Street. (Argyle Street was closed off in 1972.)

The Strike Bros. partnership ended in October 1880 with the bankruptcies of George and William Strike.

George remained on site and became manager of the new firm, G.A. Strike & Co., while William left to establish a business on his own account and set up the Crown Brewery in Wordsworth Street (now Lower Aro Street).