Brewery La Débauche

• 🏭 Brewery founded in 2013 in Angoulême by Églantine and Aurélien Camandone, a pioneer of French craft beer now producing about 12,000 hL/year.
  
• 🍺 Over 350 original recipes: imperial stouts, explosive IPAs, fruity sours, alcohol-free beers, and barrel-aged creations.
  
• 🎨 Unique visual identity: each beer features a label created by an artist (comics, street art, tattoo), reflecting Angoulême’s art scene.
  
• 🌍 National and international reputation: voted Best French Brewery 2019 on RateBeer, recognized by the World Beer Awards 2025.
  
• 🏅 Numerous awards: medals for the quality of its beers (Nevermore, Alma, Cindy Bunny…) and for the design of its labels.
  
• 🚀 Growth and innovation: joined the Océalia cooperative group in 2023 to accelerate development while preserving its creative DNA.
  
• 🍻 Fan favorites on Untappd:
  
• #1 (4,35/5) Insomnie Cognac Barrel Aged (Impérial stout) -> here
• #2 (4,3/5) Sacred Heart (Eisbock) -> here
• #3 (4,25/5) Sacred Heart III (Eisbock) -> here
• #4 (4,22/5) Palo Santo - Wood Species (Imperial stout) -> here
• #5 (4,21/5) Carnival (Imperial stout) -> here

1. History of the brewery

La Débauche is a craft brewery founded in Angoulême (Charente) in July 2013 by a passionate couple, Aurélien Camandone and Églantine Clément-Camandone. What made their project stand out was their unusual backgrounds: she was a literature teacher, he was a farrier, and they both shared a passion for beer and graphic design. They started brewing as hobbyists before quitting their jobs to launch their own business, investing all their savings (even selling a motorbike to buy a brewing tank). The name “La Débauche” immediately reflects their iconoclastic and creative spirit, embracing a rebellious image within the brewing scene.

Their beginnings were modest and full of obstacles. Set up in a small 200 m² space on Boulevard Besson-Bey in Angoulême, they brewed 120 hectolitres in their first year. Lacking initial bank support, they made a bold move in 2013 with a manifesto beer, Slap a Banker (a 12 % ABV barley wine), created after being denied a loan: this “slap to a banker” drew media attention and eventually convinced another bank to fund them. This anecdote captures the founders’ audacity and marks the start of their success story. Their first beer was La Spéciale, a Belgian-inspired blonde brewed with herbs, paving the way for many original recipes.

As demand grew rapidly, La Débauche moved in early 2018 to a 1,500 m² facility at 13 rue des Lignes (Angoulême) to increase capacity. This new brewery, equipped with a 50 hL brewhouse and new fermenters, also includes a public taproom. Production jumped from about 180 hL in 2013 to 1,500 hL in 2017. The founders aimed to quadruple this volume with the new equipment, targeting both the local market and exports. By 2019, over 25% of their beers were already exported. Growth has continued: by 2023, annual production reached 12,000 hL—100 times the initial volume—and the site now has a maximum capacity of about 20,000 hL per year.

Part of the La Débauche team at the Angoulême (Charente) brewery. Starting from scratch in 2013, the brewery now employs nearly 30 people.

 

2. Beer ranges, styles, and brewing innovations

La Débauche offers a wide range of beers in diverse styles, embodying a philosophy of boundless experimentation. Since 2013, the brewery has created and brewed over 300 original recipes (over 350 according to their 2025 figures), showcasing prolific creativity. Their portfolio includes a core range of around fifteen staple beers alongside numerous bold limited editions that built their reputation. Notable flagship recipes include:

• • Nevermore – a rich Imperial Stout (9.5% ABV), La Débauche’s iconic dark beer, with intense flavors of cacao, coffee, and dried fruits, awarded in international competitions.

  • Amorena – a series of exceptional beers often barrel-aged (e.g. in apple brandy casks), offering complex and indulgent flavor profiles.

  • La Débauche IPA – a “classic” generously hopped IPA, part of the core range, featuring a psychedelic label design (see communication section).

  • Cute & Sober – an innovative alcohol-free raspberry beer, proving the brewery explores the full spectrum from powerful barley wines to light alcohol-free brews.

  • Big Boy – a recent range of chili-infused Imperial Stouts, each using different chili varieties for intense tasting experiences.

  • Sacred Heart – a series of barrel-aged beers, smooth and complex, released in various versions, showcasing La Débauche’s expertise in barrel maturation.

The common thread in these creations is eccentricity and bold flavor experimentation. The brewery favors unconventional ingredients and recipes, having brewed beers with unusual flavors such as salted butter caramel or squid ink. They have even taken on quirky challenges (a request for fluorescent beer for a nightclub, or an abandoned project for a cigar beer before discovering nicotine is banned). Fruit sours, hop-saturated IPAs and pale ales, pastry or chocolate stouts—nothing is too daring. Each new recipe is an opportunity to push boundaries: as one expert put it, “every La Débauche bottle is a manifesto of creativity.” This creative energy is backed by solid brewing expertise. La Débauche is one of the few breweries in France equipped with gas-heated copper kettles, traditional equipment that adds extra aromatic complexity to the brews. The brewery also experiments with less common techniques, such as freeze-distilling certain beers to concentrate their flavors (a method inspired by German Eisbock). In addition, thanks to its industrial setup, La Débauche has been able to do contract brewing (producing for third parties) and even produce wort for local distilleries. These diversifications reflect a drive to innovate across the entire production chain.

 

Finally, La Débauche readily collaborates with other craft breweries in France and abroad. As early as 2015, it brewed a collaboration with London’s Weird Beard, and over the years many more collaborative brews have followed. For its 10th anniversary, it invited 12 friendly breweries (including 3 from abroad) to brew during a special festival. This spirit of sharing and collective experimentation fuels the inventiveness of its own beers.

 

Label of La Débauche’s Sacred Heart

3. Positioning on the French and international market

On the French brewing scene, La Débauche stands out as a pioneer of the 2010s craft movement. Launched in 2013 in provincial Angoulême, it quickly became one of the national benchmarks just as the microbrewery phenomenon was beginning in France. With its strong identity and taste for risk, La Débauche primarily targeted knowledgeable craft beer enthusiasts seeking novelty and uncommon flavors. Its reputation as a “crazy and creative” brewery, alongside other French mavericks, is firmly established among connoisseurs. French beer geeks praise its originality and the quality of its brews, to the point that it was ranked “among the most renowned French breweries” by Une Petite Mousse in 2020.

In terms of market niche, La Débauche operates in the high-end and experimental segment of craft beer. It does not aim for mass-market entry-level products but focuses on characterful beers—often intense in flavor (imperial stouts, barley wines, bitter IPAs, tart sours, etc.)—targeted at an informed audience. Its success shows that this niche is expanding: the brewery has managed to attract a growing public and convert many newcomers to its unconventional creations. It has also diversified its range to reach a broader audience (for example with a fruity alcohol-free beer or more classic IPAs) while maintaining its avant-garde image.

La Débauche quickly moved beyond its local Charente roots: today, most of its production is sold outside its home region, elsewhere in France or abroad. Its national reach relies on a network of craft beer shops, specialized bars, its online store, and independent distributors. By 2019, about 25% of its output was already exported, a share likely to have grown with increased production. La Débauche beers now travel across Europe (Belgium, the UK, Scandinavia, etc.) and beyond, helping showcase French brewing expertise. Participation in international festivals and collaborations with foreign brewers have further boosted its visibility. In 2019, its Black Ale India Stout was even ranked among the 15 best dark beers in the world on RateBeer, underscoring the global recognition of its creations.

From the perspective of industry professionals, La Débauche is seen as a French craft beer success story of the decade. Its rapid growth (from a few hectolitres to 20,000 hL annually) and its 2023 acquisition by a regional agri-food group reflect its established stature. The takeover by Océalia was justified by the strength of the La Débauche brand in the craft beer market and its driving role in developing the sector in France. Despite this alliance with an agricultural cooperative, the brewery has maintained its authenticity and creative independence, notably avoiding acquisition by a global brewing giant that could have diluted its image. This choice to partner with a local actor rather than a multinational has been praised as a smart strategy to balance growth and identity.

In summary, La Débauche now occupies a hybrid market position: a microbrewery that has become “large” in volume and reputation while remaining alternative in spirit. It is both a French pioneer of creative brewing and an export ambassador of French flavors. Its clientele includes demanding enthusiasts in France, craft beer collectors, and international partners who value its unconventional style. This local/global and craft/bold duality makes La Débauche a unique player in the brewing market, able to appeal to the wider public while retaining the respect of purists.

4. Brand strategy and communication

From the outset, La Débauche has relied on a strong visual and artistic identity. Based in Angoulême, the international capital of comic art, the brewery has tapped into this local creative pool: each La Débauche beer features an original label created by a different artist (illustrator, graphic designer, tattoo artist, street artist, etc.). This unique approach—collaborating with one artist per recipe—has given the brand a rich and instantly recognizable visual universe. Bottles and cans become true artistic canvases, showcasing the work of artists such as Zoé Crevette, Tracy Lewis, The Dulk, André Sanchez, and the graffiti artist Möön, among others.

Example of an artistic label from La Débauche: illustration created by Angoulême-based artist Möön for the brewery’s IPA (2016). Each beer has its own visual identity, contributing to the brand’s creative image.

This “graphic co-creation” strategy produces highly varied visuals, often bold or dreamlike, that catch consumers’ attention. The label is not just decoration: it tells a story and sets the stage for the tasting experience. For example, the IPA shown above features an explosion of psychedelic colors and patterns echoing the beer’s intense aromas. Likewise, the Full of Zest can (a citrus IPA) shows playful lemon-shaped characters suggesting the beer’s freshness and mischievous spirit. This focus on design was recently rewarded with silver medals for label design at the 2025 World Beer Awards (see Awards section).

Beyond packaging, La Débauche embraces bold, offbeat communication in line with its provocative name. Beer names are often evocative (Nevermore, Cinderella, Cindy Bunny, Damnation, etc.), and some creations reference cultural nods or rebellious statements (Slap a Banker to jab at bankers, Cigare for an abandoned project, etc.). This free-spirited tone helps shape the image of a brand that is unconventional yet genuine.

On social media, La Débauche is very active and has built a large community (over 23,000 followers on Instagram, for example). The brewery regularly shares visuals of new labels, behind-the-scenes brewing glimpses, and often uses humor or pop culture references in its posts. It also highlights its artistic collaborations by showcasing partner illustrators, reinforcing the cultural dimension of its communication.
La Débauche’s overall art direction, handled in-house by graphic design enthusiasts, ensures coherence within its eclectic visuals. The brewery’s logo—a stylized crow skull—appears discreetly on each bottle as a unifying thread, marking the brand’s signature in this ever-changing visual world. This macabre yet elegant logo encapsulates La Débauche’s spirit: a blend of provocation (death, debauchery) and aesthetic sophistication.

In marketing terms, La Débauche focuses on customer experience and closeness. Its taproom adjoining the brewery is a key element of this strategy. Open several days a week, this bar offers the full range of beers on site in an industrial-chic setting that reflects the brand’s spirit. La Débauche hosts original events there—DJ nights, concerts, craft markets, pop-up thrift shops, burlesque shows—turning the brewery into a vibrant cultural venue. These events strengthen ties with the local community and serve as a direct showcase for the brand. In addition, the brewery holds its own annual festival (see next section), another experiential communication tool.

Finally, La Débauche does not hesitate to form original marketing partnerships. For example, it collaborates with artists on special merch editions (illustrated T-shirts, art prints linked to certain beers). It has also partnered with events (e.g. music or comic festivals) by creating limited themed beers, embedding itself in local and alternative culture. This overall brand strategy—striking visuals, irreverent tone, active social presence, and festive positioning—has greatly contributed to La Débauche’s popularity among enthusiasts, who value its creative world as much as the beer itself.

5. Awards, distinctions, and reviews

In a decade, La Débauche has accumulated numerous distinctions and signs of recognition from both the public and professionals. Notable highlights include:

• Best French Brewery 2019 (RateBeer): The renowned American rating site named La Débauche the No. 1 brewery in France in 2019, recognizing the excellence and creativity of its production at the national level. That same year, La Débauche’s Black Ale India Stout was ranked the 11th best dark beer in the world on RateBeer—an achievement for a relatively young French brewery. These distinctions, based on votes from beer geeks worldwide, greatly increased La Débauche’s visibility within the international craft community.
• World Beer Awards 2025 – 6 product medals: A first entry and a first haul for La Débauche at the WBA, a global benchmark competition. In August 2025, the brewery won three silver medals (for its beers Cindy Bunny, Alma, and Nevermore) and three bronze medals (for its Double Belge, IPA, and Cute & Sober). These awards span several style categories, showcasing the versatility and high quality of its beers. For example, Nevermore (an Imperial Stout) stood out for its rich chocolate, coffee, and dried fruit notes, impressing the international jury.
• World Beer Awards 2025 – 3 design medals: The WBA jury also praised the creative boldness of La Débauche’s labels, awarding three additional silver medals for the design of Alma, Nevermore, and Cute & Sober. This specific recognition of visual identity is rare in beer competitions and rewards the artistic work behind the products’ packaging (see communication section). It is another asset for the brewery in its commercial relations, as Jean Carrère noted: “Presenting our products at such a major competition and winning medals highlights the work done at the brewery… It’s an additional argument with our distributors.”
• Other distinctions: Beyond these major honors, La Débauche has received numerous accolades in the specialist press and on rating platforms. Tasters and critics regularly name it as one of the most creative craft breweries in France. Its flagship beers (such as the Slap a Banker barley wine or the Sacred Heart series) have earned excellent ratings on Untappd, RateBeer, and BeerAdvocate, reinforcing its credibility. The brewery has also been featured in various beer guides and rankings.

Overall, La Débauche’s track record reflects its dual success: popular recognition (RateBeer) and professional recognition (World Beer Awards, etc.). These awards validate its innovative approach and reassure distributors and partners about the quality of its production. They also serve as marketing tools: medals are highlighted in communication and on packaging, helping attract new curious drinkers. Finally, beyond official prizes, the best “reward” for La Débauche remains the loyalty and enthusiasm of its customer community, who gladly travel to festivals and taprooms to taste its latest creations.
Label of La Débauche’s Carnival

6. Recent and upcoming projects

After 10 years in business, La Débauche has no shortage of plans to pursue its journey under new auspices. Its acquisition by Océalia at the end of 2023 opens up prospects for investment and growth. As part of this cooperative group, the brewery gains additional resources to modernize its facilities if needed, expand distribution (notably through bottle shops and specialized retail chains), and consider new extensions. No dilution of its craft spirit is planned; on the contrary, this partnership is seen as a springboard to sustain the artisanal model long term. With the founders stepping aside, the management team (led by Jean Carrère) can bring fresh momentum while staying true to the original values. La Débauche is expected to keep innovating in R&D, possibly by acquiring new aging barrels, exploring emerging styles (hybrid beers, wild ales, etc.), or expanding its alcohol-free range in line with market trends.
On the event and commercial side, La Débauche continues its annual La Débauche Festival, which has become a key gathering. Launched in 2019 to celebrate its new production facility, this craft beer festival held in Angoulême has already seen several successful editions (3rd in 2022). It brings together around fifteen French craft breweries and attracts up to 1,500 visitors for a day of tastings, concerts, games, and conviviality. Held every year, the event showcases the national craft scene and strengthens La Débauche’s place on the map of major beer events. The festival’s success could eventually lead the brewery to expand it (for example to two days) or create traveling editions, though nothing has been officially announced yet.
On the production side, La Débauche continues to expand its new ranges. The recent Big Boy series (chili-infused imperial stouts) launched in 2023 showed its ability to innovate in niche segments. Other ranges could emerge, for example expanding the Sacred Heart collection with new exotic barrel types or exploring current trends such as sour wild ales and the use of wild yeasts. The brewery has also expressed a commitment to CSR (corporate social responsibility), which could translate into sustainability-focused projects: using local ingredients (Charente-grown malts and hops), revalorizing brewing waste, or partnering with eco-conscious stakeholders. With the support of Océalia (a locally rooted agricultural cooperative), La Débauche has the means to further develop this sustainable dimension of its projects.
In terms of infrastructure, opening new venues is not off the table. Currently, the brewery operates its main site (production + taproom) and a secondary nearby storage site (which has hosted the festival). In the future, it could open an urban brewpub in a major city (Bordeaux, Paris?) or a dedicated bar showcasing La Débauche’s products to increase its direct presence with the public. Likewise, as exports are a strong focus, international partnerships could emerge (exclusive distribution, collaborations with foreign brewpubs, etc.). Nothing official has been announced yet, but the brewery’s momentum suggests it will seize external growth opportunities while preserving its identity.
In sum, La Débauche’s next challenges revolve around continuity through renewal: continuing to surprise enthusiasts with ever more inventive beers while structuring the company for long-term stability. The past decade has shown that a French craft brewery can grow quickly without losing its soul. The new phase ahead (backed by Océalia, with new projects) aims to consolidate this success. It is likely that La Débauche will remain true to its motto “creativity and high standards” — and to its evocative name — in the years to come, to the delight of adventurous palates.
 
Sources :

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