Phoenix Beverages Limited history

1963 The launch of Phoenix Beer took place at the Champ de Mars.

Competition from larger breweries that had recently acquired plants in Southern California impacted Arizona Brewing Company, and the Phoenix brewery was eventually sold in 1964 and operated in succession by Carling, National, Carling-National and Heileman.

1970’s – Although Phoenix beverage bottles can still be found at flea markets, at the Shirley Historical Society Museum, and on eBay, the only part of the business that remains in Shirley is its building.

The brewery continued to struggle, especially with the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, terminating its beer shipments to troops in the Far East.

1975 The launch of Guiness Stout illustrated our commitment to growth in Mauritius.

Although it branched out with brands such as Carling Black Label, Tuborg and Colt 45 Malt Liquor, the brewery closed in 1985, a casualty of industry consolidation.

1991 - Creation of the (Mauritius) Glass Gallery Ltd to recycle glass waste

The brewery was razed in 1992 and the Phoenix Fire Department administration building was constructed at the site. “To rip it down and put up an old-looking building is kind of hokey,” Phoenix preservationist Michael Levine told The Arizona Republic at the time.

2003 - Change of name of MBL to Phoenix Beverages Ltd (PBL)

Long given up for dead, the A-1 label was temporarily revived by Tucson’s Nimbus Brewing Company in 2010.

While the packaging reflected A-1’s history, it used a different recipe, and production stopped when Nimbus filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

2014 - PBL acquires the Eski soft-drink company and also begins wine bottling operations