Brouwerij Ter Dolen

Brouwerij Ter Dolen grew into a modern castle brewery within the restored grounds of De Dool in Houthalen-Helchteren. Its identity rests on a striking meeting of place and practice: a castle site first recorded in 1282, a brewing installation opened in 1994, and a range built around Belgian abbey beers, from the original Ter Dolen Blond to darker, stronger and alcohol-free interpretations. A castle setting with deep roots The present Ter Dolen castle dates from the sixteenth century, while the estate’s recorded history reaches back to 1282. In the Middle Ages it served as a summer residence and later as a refuge house for the abbots of Sint-Truiden Abbey. After years of decline, Mieke Desplenter bought the castle at the end of 1993 and began its restoration. From restoration to brewing In 1994, a modern brewery was installed in the castle’s former outbuildings, and Brouwerij Ter Dolen opened its doors in July of that year. The brewery uses stainless-steel cylindroconical fermentation and storage tanks, with a 25-hectolitre brew kettle. Since 2013, its own bottling line has allowed the beers to be brewed and packaged on site. The beer range Ter Dolen Blond was created in 1994 and is described by the brewery as the first Limburg abbey beer. The range now includes Ter Dolen Donker, Kriek, Tripel, Winter and Wit, alongside Armand Ter Dolen, a dry-hopped blond created in honour of co-founder Armand Desplenter. The brewery has also added the alcohol-free IPA Op De Dool and Kriek Op De Dool. Ter Dolen is a castle brewery where Limburg abbey-beer tradition is made in a distinctly modern brewing home. Houthalen-Helchteren, Limburg, Belgium 1994 1282: The first recorded mention of the Ter Dolen estate appears. 1993: Mieke Desplenter bought the castle and began restoration. 1994: A brewery was installed in the castle outbuildings, and Brouwerij Ter Dolen opened in July. 2013: The brewery added its own bottling facility and a new warehouse.