Phoenix Beverages

Last updated
Phoenix Beverages Group
FormerlyMauritius Breweries Ltd (MBL)
Company type Public
SEM: MBL [1]
Industry Beverage
Predecessor
  • Phoenix Camp Minerals Limited (PCM),
  • Mauritius Breweries Ltd (MBL)
Founded9 September 1960
HeadquartersPont Fer,
Vacoas-Phoenix
,
Mauritius
Area served
 Mauritius
Key people
Bernard Theys
(CEO)
Arnaud Lagesse
(Chairman)
Products
  • Beers (Phoenix, Blue Marlin, Gister),
  • wines and spirits,
  • soft drinks (Eski, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pearona, Cidona...),
  • table water (Crystal)
Production output
2.44 million hectolitres of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
Total assets Increase2.svg Rs 9.048 billion
Number of employees
1,750+ (2023) [2]
Subsidiaries
  • Phoenix Beverages Overseas Ltd,
  • The (Mauritius) Glass Gallery Ltd,
  • Phoenix Réunion SARL
Website www.phoenixbeveragesgroup.mu

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. [3] 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.

Contents

History

The Millenium Pillar (1999-2022)

‘The Millennium Pillar’ was an initiative aimed at enhancing the cityscape of Vacoas-Phoenix by erecting a magnificent statue at its bustling roundabout, colloquially known as the “ Rond-Point La Bière.” The Phoenix Millennium Pillar was a captivating piece of art originally crafted by the talented Hungarian artist, Ms. Zsuzsanna Szemok, with Mr. Pierre Lagesse serving as the project’s architect. The sculpture depicted the Vacoas tree, complete with its roots and a trunk adorned with basalt, mirroring the tree’s leaves. At its pinnacle stood a bronze rendition of a nascent Phoenix. The bronze casting was executed by Forges Tardieu foundry, while the supporting tree structure was constructed by General Construction. This monumental stele, standing 10 meters tall and spanning a meter in width, was erected in 1999 to commemorate the transition from 1999 to the year 2000 and the 35th anniversary of Vacoas/Phoenix’s elevation to a municipality. It was officially unveiled on September 23, 1999. Today, a segment of the sculpture, particularly the Phoenix, graces the entrance of Phoenix Beverages Limited.

La Statue de la RenaiSenses (2022-present)

After more than three years of relentless effort, the new Phoenix statue emerged, paying tribute to the initiatives outlined in Phoenix Beverages Group’s sustainable development plan. This artistic masterpiece was conceptualised and curated by ZeeArts, in collaboration with Indian and Mauritian artists, Kishor Kanta and Vick Shibdoyal, respectively. The project also garnered support from Phoenix Beverages Group’s welding team, Luxconsult as the engineering consultants, and Transinvest for the groundwork at the roundabout. Named as ‘The Statue of RenaiSenses’ or ‘La Statue de la RenaiSenses’, this sculpture powerfully encapsulates the timeless cycle of rebirth embodied by the Phoenix. Its design was meticulously crafted to exude dynamism. It stands as a profoundly contemporary, captivating piece, rooted in a recycling concept for all its constituent materials. Its composition is distinct, ingeniously integrating salvaged metals and spare metallic parts from Phoenix Beverages Group’s old bottling lines. Instead of being discarded, these materials were repurposed, promoting a sustainable economy through waste upcycling practices. Now proudly perched on the roundabout that once housed the ‘Millennium Pillar’, this stunning ten-meter statue fills the residents of Vacoas-Phoenix with immense pride.

Corporate history

Products

Product history


Phoenix Beer

A bottle of Phoenix Phoenix beer bottle front.jpg
A bottle of Phoenix

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 650 ml (23 imp fl oz; 22 US fl oz) and 330 ml (12 imp fl oz; 11 US fl oz) bottles and 330 ml (12 imp fl oz; 11 US fl oz) 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

BrandYearAwardRankNotes
Stella Pils1976Brewex – UKGold Medal
1989 Monde Selection Gold Medal
1997Australian International Beer AwardsSilver Award
2009Monde SelectionGold MedalStella Pils 330ml
Phoenix Beer1981Monde selectionGold Medal
1983Brewex – UKGold Medal
1997Australian International Beer AwardsSilver Award
2001Australian International Beer AwardsGold Award
2003Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
2006Monde SelectionSilver MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
2007Monde SelectionGrand Gold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
2008Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
Monde SelectionSilverPhoenix Beer Can
2009Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionSilverPhoenix Beer Can
Monde SelectionGold Medal + High International Quality Trophy 2009Phoenix Beer 330ml
2010Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer Can 330ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Special Brew 330ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Fresh 330ml
2011Monde SelectionGold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2011Phoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
2012Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionGold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2012Phoenix Beer 330ml
2013Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer 330ml
2014Monde SelectionGold Medal + International High Quality Trophy 2014Phoenix Beer 650ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer bottle 330ml
Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Beer can 330ml
Blue Marlin1992Monde SelectionGold Medal
1997Australian International Beer AwardsSilver Award
2001Australian International Beer AwardsSilver Award
2003Monde SelectionBronze MedalBlue Marlin 330ml
2006Monde SelectionSilver MedalBlue Marlin 330ml
2007Monde SelectionGrand Gold MedalBlue Marlin 330ml
2009Monde SelectionSilver MedalBlue Marlin Premium Beer Can
2013Monde SelectionGold MedalBlue Marlin Premium Beer 330ml
Guinness2011Monde SelectionGold MedalGuinness Foreign Extra Stout
Phoenix Cider2011Monde SelectionGold MedalPhoenix Cider Apple non-alcoholic Cans

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Company Snapshot Information - Code". Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 https://phoenixbeveragesgroup.mu/assets/report/2023/Annual-reports/PhoenixBev_IAR_20231127_annual_report_1.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ "The Stock Exchange of Mauritius". The Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  4. ↑ "Sustainable development: Phoenix Beverages takes action – Mauritius News". mauritiushindinews.com. Retrieved 2022-09-26.[ permanent dead link ]
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