La Séquère, the Landes cola brewery with a pine flavor

This typically Landes cola is produced by the La Séquère brewery, meaning “thirst” in the Gascon language. The brand was born from the mixing of ideas of the Dacquois Bourdillas brothers in the 2010s. Gilles and Stéphane developed and marketed this Landes cola from 2015. Almost a decade later, the recipe remains unchanged. “Parisian friends prefer Landes cola to all other colas,” assures Julien Cambriel, who took over La Séquère in 2022, supported by his employees Solène, Mathieu and Tom.

Based in Seignosse, the brewery offers eight beers, three sodas, namely lemonade, iced tea and the famous Landes cola, Landes Cola. Each year, the company generates nearly 290,000 euros in turnover, with 500 hectoliters of beer and 400 of soda. In the range of beers, an amber with Armagnac. Another nod to Landes heritage. But the cola with the scent of maritime pine, emblematic in the Landes, remains the flagship product of the brewery. It represents half of soda production.

Adventure for two

The La Séquère brand can be found in 200 points of sale in Landes and the region. An anchor, however, below the expectations of the manager, who regrets a “lack of commitment from local restaurateurs”. An observation, among other factors, which encourages the current manager to hand over the reins. Two years after taking over the business, Julien Cambriel wants to devote himself fully to his main activity as manager of the beer cellar L'Île du malt, in the Pédebert d'Hossegor area. But above all to turn the page on an adventure started together with Cyril Soubestre. Six months after their takeover, at the end of 2022, his partner fell ill. He died last February. “It was a friends’ project. Without him, it’s no longer the same,” he confides.

It was therefore alone that Julien continued the La Séquère adventure, but his heart was no longer in it. “We didn’t have the time to make the changes we wanted,” he regrets. A few ephemeral beer recipes were developed, but the duo wanted to go further. Starting by replacing plastic, developing cans and reviewing the brand's graphic charter. Moreover, the dog behind the logo still walks around the premises. Or at least his double, Jean-Claude, the Boston terrier of the brewing technician Solène. Canine proof that, despite changes in ownership, the genesis of the brand continues.