A slice of forgotten tradition
in 'het pajottenland'
Het Pajottenland
'Het Pajottenland', the region to the southwest of Brussels, together with the valley of the river Zenne, is the birthplace of lambic. At in its heyday, there were several hundred lambic breweries and so called 'geuzestekers' spread out all over the region. At present, there are less than 20 active breweries left.
Brewery Goossens
Brewery Goossens was until 1968 one of the many breweries in Dilbeek and the surrounding area. The first sources date back to 1767. Many of the current buildings are visible on the Ferraris maps of the low countries, made while under Austrian rule. After almost 25 years of abandonment, the buildings and the land were bought from the Goossens heirs by Frans Appelmans and Yvette Mary, who renovated intensely. Walking distance you can find several former breweries, like De Neve, Eylenbosch and the Spanuit, all examples of the rich heritage of the area.
Brewery Kestemont
The site was purchased by the Kestemont family in 2016, a family born and bred in the Pajot region. After three years, the first batch of lambic is put into wooden casks to start aging. A new brewing hall was installed early 2021 to start brewing again after almost half a century of absence. Finally, it is once more possible to smell the aroma of lambic through the streets of Pede. A return of a centuries old tradition to the quaint town where Brueghel used to paint the old watermill and little chapel some 400 years ago.
The entire site is protected as historical heritage since 2017.
About us
Lias Kestemont
Brewing Master
It is said that if you can turn your passion into your job, you will never have to work another day in your life. That is more or less the state of bliss Lias is in. From tinkering with home brew installations and bubbling concoctions on his kitchen table over the past decade, to owning and operating his very own lambic brewery. And all of that in the beautiful scenery of the 'pajot' region, in the historic treasure which the former Goossens brewery is. Restoring a lost tradition dating back to the 18th century.
With his creativity and finely tuned tasting buds, he is the creator and artistic flair behind all delicious beers coming out of the brewery.
Francis Kestemont
Pater familias
Once upon a time, a man came home from work, and uttered the following, now legendary words: "I just bought a brewery!" And what a brewery it is.
Bringing the former Goossens brewery back to life and restoring the once common link between farmers and brewers, so intertwined with the 'pajot' region. If there ever was a better reason to buy a spectacular, historic building, I'm all ears. Furthermore, all that walking distance from your front door, in the region where you have lived and worked your entire life. A no brainer indeed.
This is his crown achievement of a forty year career of organic farming in Lennik and the surrounding area, by a man born and bred in the 'Pajottenland'. An area with ever fewer lambic breweries, to add one more and halt the decline, quite the legacy for sure. Who better to get this brewery started than the one and only 'Cisse' Kestemont?