In the smallest of countries, I enjoy trying their beer selection. Mauritius is a small market with a population of 1.3 million, but I found their beers to be great. They were refreshing in hot weather. The Phoenix brewery dominates the market, but there are also small breweries that produce beers in small batches.
All glass beer bottles in Mauritius are subject to a deposit. The deposits are quite high (e.g. for a special Flying Dodo beer bottle, it is 80 MUR, which is approximately 1.60 EUR).
Phoenix Brewery
The Phoenix Brewery is the oldest and largest brewery on the island. They began brewing beer in 1963. Under the Phoenix brand, we find a range of beers including lagers, stouts and fruit beers.
Phoenix Beer
The flagship beer of the company is the Phoenix pale lager, which is popular throughout Mauritius and neighboring regions. You can find this brand of beer in stores in cans and in smaller bottles (330 ml).
The basic range of Phoenix beer. It was my first alcoholic beverage on the island. It was a great refreshment after a 10-hour flight from Istanbul. Supermarkets, of course, sell beer properly chilled. The bottle has a volume of 650 ml and costs approximately 80 MUR, which is about 1.60 EUR.
Blue Marlin Beer
Blue Marlin has been on the market since 1990. Phoenix labels it as a premium beer with an alcohol content of 6%. The bottle has a volume of 650 ml and costs approximately 80 MUR, which is about 1.60 EUR.
Phoenix Spéciale Beer
Phoenix Spéciale beer has an even higher alcohol content – 6.5%. The manufacturer suggests that it is best enjoyed during periods when it is not so hot in Mauritius (presumably due to its higher alcohol content). The bottle has a volume of 650 ml and costs approximately 80 MUR, which is about 1.60 EUR.
Phoenix Fresh Beer
Phoenix also offers radlers. The alcohol content is 3.5%, and this one had a lemon flavor. The bottle has a volume of 330 ml and costs approximately 40 MUR, which is around 0.80 EUR.
Manawa Beer
The brand of Mauritian craft beer Manawa also falls under the Phoenix brewery. I tasted a wheat beer with 5% alcohol and 11 IBU bitterness. The beer cost 54 MUR, which is around 1.20 EUR, and the bottle had a volume of 330 ml. I really like wheat beer, but I tried this one once and wouldn’t have it again.
Oxenham Craft Brewery
Since 2018, Oxenham Craft Brewery has been producing the popular craft beer The Thirsty Fox. However, the Oxenham group also includes a wine producer and distillery.
The Thirsty Fox Pale Ale Beer
With a golden color and a balanced ratio of hops and malt, The Thirsty Fox has 5% alcohol and 20 IBU bitterness. In my opinion, it’s a very drinkable beer. The price for a 330 ml bottle is around 60 MUR, which is about 1.20 EUR.
The Thirsty Fox IPA Beer
The Thirsty Fox IPA has the most beautiful bottle I have ever seen for a beer. A fish “swims” across the entire label and beyond. Interesting and tasty beer, with 4.8% alcohol and 28 IBU bitterness. The price for a 330 ml bottle is approximately 60 MUR, which is around 1.20 EUR.
The Thirsty Fox Weiss Beer
Light beer with a high proportion of wheat, with only 4% alcohol. The price for a 330 ml bottle is approximately 60 MUR, which is around 1.20 EUR.
Flying Dodo Brewery
Flying Dodo Beer
Flying Dodo is the first craft brewery in the history of Mauritius, founded in 2011. The beers are unpasteurized and unfiltered. They brew small batches of only 500 liters. The brewery likes to experiment and comes up with a new recipe every month. For this reason, all bottles are the same, only the color and text on the plastic wrap that protects the cap differ.
I had the opportunity to try two batches of beer from the Flying Dodo brewery. A special beer brewed at the end of 2022, “Naked Santa Christmas Ale” with Christmas spices. The beer had 7.5% alcohol and 20 IBU bitterness. The second beer was Nation’ Ale with 5.9% alcohol and 17 IBU bitterness. Prices for individual types of Flying Dodo beer are around 200 MUR, which is around 4 EUR for a 650 ml bottle.
Enjoy Mauritian beer and drink responsibly!
