Brasseries de Bourbon

Lore & Background

Brasseries de Bourbon originated from three companies founded by Vernon King Stevenson: SOREG (Société Réunionnaise des Eaux gazeuses), the first manufacturer of Coca-Cola on Réunion Island, founded in 1958; Brasseries de Bourbon itself, founded in 1962; and Bourbon Distribution Service, founded in 1983. In 1986, Heineken became the majority shareholder of all three companies, and in 1994 they merged to form the Groupe Brasseries de Bourbon.

The company's flagship product is the blonde lager Bourbon, widely known as Dodo, named after the extinct bird of Mauritius. Its logo—a smiling dodo—and the Creole slogan 'la dodo lé la' are painted on the walls of establishments selling the beer. Since 1996, the group has also produced white and reddish beers. In addition to brewing, Brasseries de Bourbon manufactures and distributes Coca-Cola and Orangina on Réunion Island, and imports and bottles a variety of other drinks.

In 2011, the company launched an advertising campaign to counter competition from imported Coca-Cola from African and Asian manufacturers, which had been cannibalizing its own Coca-Cola sales. In 2014, it launched the premium beer brand Héritage de Bourbon, and in 2017 it introduced its first line of non-alcoholic beers. That same year, the company set a Guinness World Record for the longest picnic table (322.42 metres) to promote its Dodo beer.

Reader's Guide

Brasseries de Bourbon holds a unique position as the sole major beer producer on Réunion Island, a role that has made its Dodo lager a cultural touchstone. The beer's logo and slogan are ubiquitous on the island, painted on snack walls and bars, reflecting its deep integration into local life. The company's history is intertwined with the island's beverage industry, having started as a Coca-Cola bottler before expanding into brewing and eventually becoming part of the Heineken group. Its 2017 Guinness World Record for the longest picnic table was a notable promotional event for Dodo beer, underscoring the brand's local prominence. The launch of Héritage de Bourbon in 2014 added a premium option to its lineup, while the introduction of non-alcoholic beers in 2017 addressed changing consumer preferences. The company's role as the local manufacturer and distributor of Coca-Cola and Orangina further cements its importance in Réunion's beverage market, though it faced challenges from imported Coca-Cola in 2011, prompting an advertising campaign to protect its sales. Overall, Brasseries de Bourbon represents a blend of local identity and international corporate ownership, with its Dodo beer serving as a symbol of Réunion Island.

Did You Know?

• Brasseries de Bourbon's Dodo beer is named after the extinct bird of Mauritius.
• The company broke the Guinness World Record for the longest picnic table (322.42 metres) in 2017 to promote Dodo beer.
• Heineken became the majority shareholder of Brasseries de Bourbon in 1986.
• The company launched its first non-alcoholic beers in 2017.