At the gate of Ter Lenen

We stand before the gate of Ter Lenen, but we cannot see the estate from here. You have to walk a kilometer to get there. So we won't do that, but we share with you that until the French Revolution, the farm was part of the extensive possessions of the Cistercian nunnery of Oriënte (circa 1234-1798). The abbey acquired the "curia de Leenen" in 1240, along with 52.5 acres or over 60 hectares of arable land and pasture, purchased from a certain Rolin de Lare. In the 14th century, Ter Lenen was an important estate. The farm included, among other things, two barns, two sheepfolds, and a stable for horses.

In February 1798, the farm was sold to the Zoutleeuwse family Coenen. They built a spacious residence with a typical 'castle park.' Here, a brewery and distillery were also operated around 1897. In 1900, mention was made of the installation of a steam engine, and from 1903, there was also talk of a steam distillery. The brewery-distillery closed its doors just before World War II. The owner dismantled the installations for fear that the copper would be stolen by the Germans. However, the brewery was never restarted. One of the last beers was said to be 'Tripel Trezeke' named after Theresa, the wife of the brewer.

The judo club of Geetbets has been having the beer of the same name brewed since 2015 by brewery Den Triest in Kapelle op den Bosch. You can only taste it in a single café in Geetbets.

Jan Rymenams