Festina lente

FESTINA LENTE

The Norbertine abbey in Tongerlo has been a landmark since 1130. The coat of arms that hangs from the 14th century gateway immediately reveals the priests’ life motto: ‘festina lente’. Its meaning is ‘rush slowly’. Many centuries later, this slogan still applies.

The Tongerlo beers are acknowledged Belgian abbey beers that referment in the bottle. They were brewed within the abbey walls until the start of the First World War. In 1914 the Germans stole the abbey’s copper brewing kettles, resulting in the abrupt ending of the traditional brewing activities by the Norbertines.

After many wanderings, the Norbertines found peace & quiet at Haacht Brewery in 1990. Since then, we’ve been brewing Tongerlo under the approving eye of the active monastery community. In exchange for the license, we support one of the most active monastery communities in our country. The friars’ choice for a true family-run brewery that offers quality and authenticity, can be tasted in the beer.

The variety of awards, including the World’s Best Beer for Tongerlo Blond in 2014, are a true recognition of the commitment and efforts of everyone involved. Want to know more about the Norbertine abbey in Tongerlo? Why don’t you visit it? More information can be found on their site web.