Haus Biele Update

In an earlier post, Haus Biele 2012 Blog, I wrote about the original Biele homestead in Hovestadt Germany.  Last week, I was in Germany in business and was able to make a side trip to the Westphalia region of Germany to visit Hovestadt and other towns in the area.My destination included Haus Biele.

Sign in Hovestadt between the Rathaus (City Hall) and Haus Biele

Front of Haus Biele

Back of Haus Biele

Lobby area in Haus Biele

Picture in the Haus Biele lobby of when Haus Biele was still a Gasthof

During its restoration Haus Biele was completely renovated and now serves as a Burgerburo (city office).  What was once a working farm, residence, brewery, hotel, and gathering place now serves the Lippetal area in a different function.

Biele Family Crest

The crest of the Biele family from Hovestadt features a hatchet and a duck.  According to a Biele in Germany -  

In "low german" Biele means Beil and that means hatchet. At that time, each family belonged to a guild. The ax is the sign for butcher. The duck is the animal which was slaughtered. The water also has a meaning. It is an indication of milling and brewing rights.

At Haus Biele in Hovestadt the family operated a guest house and a distillery.  See Haus Biele blog post from Dec 2012 

There is a tradition in Germany within some Biele families for parents to give their children a ring with the family crest on their 18th birthday.  Boys often get one in gold and girls with lapislazuli and onyx. 

Biele crest that hung in Haus Biele

Biele crest on the label of a liquor from the Biele distillary

Biele crest on a signet ring