Our History
1932
Founding
Bowen & Bowen is founded by Eric W. M. Bowen and his brother Fredrick as a General Trading Company.
1944
Crystal Bottling
The company introduces carbonated flavoured beverages including Crystal Lemonade.
1954 - April 28th
The country holds the first national election under universal suffrage.
1961
Coca-Cola Bottling
Bowen & Bowen acquires the right to bottle Coca-Cola in Belize.
1961 - October 31st
Hurricane Hattie devastates Belize City.
1964 - January 1st
Full internal self-government under a ministerial system is granted.
1965
Coca-Cola Factory
The new bottling plant is constructed in Ladyville, Belize.
1969
Belize Brewing Co.
Eric and his son, Barry M. Bowen, establish Belize Brewing Company in partnership with Cerveceria Hondureña S.A.
1973 - June 1st
The country's name is officially changed from British Honduras to Belize.
1975 - November 5th
British Government sends troops to Belize in response to the possible threat of invasion from Guatemala.
1977
Sir Barry Bowen buys his father’s shares in Bowen & Bowen
1981
Belikin Independence
Barry buys Cerveceria Hondureña S.A.'s shares in Belize Brewing Company.
1981 - September 21st
Belize achieves full independence.
1983
Belize Estate & Produce
Bowen & Bowen buys Belize Estate & Produce Company.
1989
Jungle Destination
Chan Chich Lodge opens in Gallon Jug Estate.
1988 - March 18th
Programme for Belize (PfB) is founded as a local NGO with a mission of conservation.
1989
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Belize Brewing Company acquires the license to brew Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
1995
Aquaculture Pioneer
Belize Aquaculture is established as the first environmentally friendly shrimp farm.
2000
New Brewery
Belize Brewing builds a new state-of-the-art Steinecker (Krones) Brewery.
2000 - September 30th
Hurricane Keith makes a direct hit on San Pedro, Belize.
2001-
October 8th
Hurricane Iris flattens Placencia and Southern Belize.
2006
The Tavern - The Company opens its first restaurant.
2010
New CEO
Michael H. M. Bowen takes over as CEO of Bowen & Bowen.
2010 -
February 26th
The Caribbean Court of Justice replaces the Privy Council as Belize's highest court of appeal.
2011 - September 19th
"Father of the Nation," George Cadle Price, passes away at 92.
2013
Blair Athol Power is established.
2016
New Facility
Crystal Bottling Company inaugurates the John Armstrong Memorial Building (JAMB).
2017
BIG Limited - Belize Imports & Goods is established.
2018
Cerberus Security is established.
2019 - May 8th
Belize votes “yes” in a National Referendum to send the Guatemala border dispute to the ICJ.
2020
Sakkisime & Co
Bowen & Bowen establishes an in-house creative and digital agency.
2020
Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic brings the world to a standstill.
2021
Whiskey Bar
Cork Street Whiskey Bar opens in a renovated historical building originally built in 1859.
2021 -
April 21st
The Belize Maya Forest Trust conservation project places 236,000 acres of tropical rainforest under protection.
2022
The Home of Belikin
Di Bruwry opens and welcomes everyone who loves Belikin Beer.
2022 - November 5th
Belize issues Blue Bond to The Nature Conservancy for a debt for nature swap.
2023
Snackers!
A selection of quality snacks is introduced.