Phoenix Beverages

Phoenix Beverages is the largest brewery in Mauritius. Their Phoenix Beer is widely distributed on the island and is exported to Europe, Australia, Reunion Island, Madagascar, etc. The company also has connections with the Guinness Brewery and is listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. They have three plants in Mauritius, PhoenixBev Brewery Plant, PhoenixBev Carbonated Soft Drinks Plant and PhoenixBev Stills Plant. They also have a plant in Reunion Island known as Edena Boissons.

History

The Millenium Pillar (1999–2022)

The “Millennium Pillar” was an initiative aimed at enhancing the cityscape of Vacoas-Phoenix by erecting a statue at its roundabout, colloquially known as the “Rond-Point La Bière.” The sculpture depicted the Vacoas tree, complete with roots and a trunk adorned with basalt, reflecting the tree’s leaves. At its pinnacle stood a bronze rendition of a nascent Phoenix. The bronze casting was executed by the Forges Tardieu foundry, while the supporting tree structure was built by General Construction. This monumental stele, standing 10 meters tall and one meter wide, was erected in 1999 to commemorate both the transition from 1999 to 2000 and the 35th anniversary of Vacoas-Phoenix’s elevation to a municipality. It was officially unveiled on September 23, 1999. Today, a portion of the sculpture, particularly the Phoenix, adorns the entrance of Phoenix Beverages Limited.

La Statue de la RenaiSenses (2022–present)

This was conceptualized and curated by ZeeArts, in collaboration with Indian and Mauritian artists Kishor Kanta and Vick Shibdoyal, respectively. The project also received support from Phoenix Beverages Group’s welding team, Luxconsult as engineering consultants, and Transinvest for the groundwork at the roundabout. Named “The Statue of RenaiSenses” or “La Statue de la RenaiSenses,” the sculpture incorporates salvaged metals and spare metallic parts from Phoenix Beverages Group’s old bottling lines.

Corporate history

1931 - The company is incorporated as Phoenix Camp Minerals Limited
1953 - Signature of their bottling agreement with Coca-Cola
1960 - Creation of Mauritius Breweries Ltd
1963 - Inauguration of brewery
1991 - Creation of the Glass Gallery Ltd to recycle glass waste
1993 - MBL is listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius
2003 - Change of name of MBL to Phoenix Beverages Ltd
2008 - Fusion of PBL and PCM
2014 - PBL acquires the Eski soft-drink company and also begins wine bottling operations
2015 - Signature of bottling agreement with Schweppes International for Orangina
2016 - Acquisition of Edena SA
2021 - Change of name of Koté Vins & Spirits to PhoenixBev Wines & Spirits
2021 - Launch of PhoenixEarth Initiative
2022 - Setting up of Manawa Craft Brewery Plant in Phoenix
2022 - The company starts to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Switches to green energy.
2024 - PBL acquires 28.15% shares in
2025 - PBL acquires 54.4% shares in Seychelles Breweries Ltd
Products

Product history

1931 - Launch of Phoenix Camp Minerals: Sparkling Aerated Water
1956 - Launch of Fanta
1963 - Launch of Phoenix beer
1964 - Launch of Stella Pils beer
1965 - Launch of Sprite soft-drink
1975 - Launch of Guinness stout
1976 - Launch of Crystal table water
1979 - Launch of Pearona
1986 - Launch of Diet Coke
1988 - Launch of Malta Guinness
1989 - Launch of Blue Marlin beer
1990 - Launch of Appletiser
2005 - Launch of Phoenix Special Brew beer
2008 - Launch of Phoenix Fresh beer
2014 - Acquisition of Eski soft-drink brand
2015 - Launch of GR8 wine
2016 - Launch of Gister Premium beer
2017 - Launch of Fuze Tea
2017 - Launch of 5Alive Pulpy juice
2020 - Relaunch of Cidona
2020 - Launch of Phoenix Beer Keg 5L
2022 - Launch of Manawa craft beer
2022 - Launch of Phoenix Panaché
2023 - Launch of Salitos
Phoenix Beer

Phoenix Beer began production in 1963. On August 26, 1963, Phoenix Beer was officially launched. The inaugural tasting was conducted by Head Brewer Roger Blasco, a man deeply passionate about brewing. At the time of its inauguration, the factory employed 40 individuals with the aim to produce 35,000 hectolitres of beer annually. In the very first year, 30,000 hectolitres were produced.
Journalists remarked that his dedication to beer was so profound that he could have spent his entire life in the brewery. Once brewed, the beer was bottled in ‘Chopine’ and bottles formats, sealed with a cap, and distributed to retailers across the island.
Phoenix Beer has an ABV of 5%, and is described as a "golden lager" by the manufacturers. Their malted spring barley comes from Australia and Europe. The beer is sold in and bottles and cans. It is also available in draught at local resorts and restaurants.
Phoenix also produces two strong lager style beers. One called Blue Marlin; the other Phoenix Special Brew. They brew Guinness Foreign Extra Stout under licence.

History behind the name

History dates back to 1845 in Mauritius, where a sugar estate named Phoenix was established at the confluence of two rivers: the Mesnil and Rivière Sèche. The estate derived its name from the endemic palm trees found exclusively in Mauritius and Réunion Island, bearing a resemblance to the Phoenician palm. Phoenix Sugar Estate, under the stewardship of Henry Barlow, clinched
a gold medal for its premium quality sugar. However, due to a financial downturn, the sugar mill ceased operations in 1874. By 1880, Phoenix Sugar Estate merged with Trianon Sugar Estate, leading to the transfer of all sugarcane plantations to the latter.
The 1892 cyclone wreaked destruction of the Trianon Sugar Estate, leaving the sugar mill building bereft of its machinery and ultimately leading to its demolition. The Phoenix region was named in homage to the sugar mill’s name. It was only later that the brewery was established in Phoenix, attributed to its favourable climatic conditions, strategic location for island-wide product
distribution, and water supply.
Thus, the beer was named after the city’s rich history, drawing inspiration from both the mythical bird and the Phoenician palms. Just as the sugar was adorned with gold medals, the beer garnered multiple accolades and stands today as a staple brand in the heart of Mauritians.