The story
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
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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)
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.
From Wikipedia’s article on Phoenix Beverages, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4