Phoenix Beverages is the largest brewery in Mauritius. Their Phoenix Beer (lager) 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 (PCM) 1953 - Signature of their bottling agreement with Coca-Cola 1960 - Creation of Mauritius Breweries Ltd (MBL) 1963 - Inauguration of brewery 1991 - Creation of the (Mauritius) 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 (PBL) 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 (incorporated in Réunion Island) 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 African Originals (incorporated in Kenya) 2025 - PBL acquires 54.4% shares in Seychelles Breweries Ltd (incorporated in Seychelles)
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’ (35 ml) and bottles (75 ml) 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.
Awards Brand Year Award Rank Notes Stella Pils 1976 Brewex – UK Gold Medal 1989 Monde Selection Gold Medal 1997 Australian International Beer Awards Silver Award 2009 Monde Selection Gold Medal Stella Pils 330ml Phoenix Beer 1981 Monde selection Gold Medal 1983 Brewex – UK Gold Medal 1997 Australian International Beer Awards Silver Award 2001 Australian International Beer Awards Gold Award 2003 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml 2006 Monde Selection Silver Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml 2007 Monde Selection Grand Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml 2008 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml Monde Selection Silver Phoenix Beer Can 2009 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Silver Phoenix Beer Can Monde Selection Gold Medal + High International Quality Trophy 2009 Phoenix Beer 330ml 2010 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer Can 330ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Special Brew 330ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Fresh 330ml 2011 Monde Selection Gold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2011 Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml 2012 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Gold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2012 Phoenix Beer 330ml 2013 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer 330ml 2014 Monde Selection Gold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2014 Phoenix Beer 650ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer bottle 330ml Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Beer can 330ml Blue Marlin 1992 Monde Selection Gold Medal 1997 Australian International Beer Awards Silver Award 2001 Australian International Beer Awards Silver Award 2003 Monde Selection Bronze Medal Blue Marlin 330ml 2006 Monde Selection Silver Medal Blue Marlin 330ml 2007 Monde Selection Grand Gold Medal Blue Marlin 330ml 2009 Monde Selection Silver Medal Blue Marlin Premium Beer Can 2013 Monde Selection Gold Medal Blue Marlin Premium Beer 330ml Guinness 2011 Monde Selection Gold Medal Guinness Foreign Extra Stout Phoenix Cider 2011 Monde Selection Gold Medal Phoenix Cider Apple non-alcoholic Cans
See also Beer in Africa
References
External links Phoenix Beverages Group website