Brasserie V

MarcatGSB

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

I took a quick trip to Madison for the day, so I did a little research via Beer Fly and also used other resources (such as Urbanspoon and Tripadvisor). Brasserie V was my second stop of the day, and my fifth (I had to return later in the evening).

Emily and I arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon, kind of in that in between lunch and dinner phase, so there wasn't much food wise available, but we did order a really nice cheese board with some quality local and non-local cheeses. The crackers and bread that was served with the cheese was nice, and the presentation was excellent.

The tap list is very impressive. Petrus Aged Pale, Saison Dupont, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Cease and Desist are among a few of the 14 beers they had to offer. The bottle selection is even better. A few rare bottles can be found, as the list mostly focuses on Belgian and European beers...fine by me. Our bartender (Jon) was knowledgeable, and helpful. All beers were served with proper glassware and in most cases, the glassware provided by the brewery (awesome!).

Jon even told us about a few other places in the Madison area that have great beer selections, which we did check out, but ended up heading back to Brasserie V for dinner, which was well worth it. Emily had the Pheasant, which was awesome, and I had the Steak Frites, which were fantastic as well. Upon returning for our dinner, we found a completely different scene than when we were hanging out in a relaxed cafe-like atmosphere earlier in the day. The dining room was lively, full of excitement, and people enjoying them selves.

Well staffed, great selection, great atmosphere, awesome place. Make it a point to stop by Brasserie V.

08-29-2011 16:34:07 | More by MarcatGSB

slyke

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Took a spring break trip to Madison, Wisconsin and went to Brasserie V on our last night. BA daisybleu and I arrived about 4:00pm expecting to have a beer or two, then move on, but as we sat at the bar we decided to stay long enough to have dinner.

Soft lighting and jazz set the mood for the place. The taps had a strong bias toward Belgium. The bartender was happy to offer samples of a beer if you weren't sure and also kept an eye on the street, which saved another patron from being towed. At 5:00pm, they brought out and opened a firkin of Thornbridge Kipling. I honestly hadn't heard of either the brewery, but I love real ale.

Each of the beers I had (St. Bernardus Prior 8, Maredsous 6 Blonde, and Thornbridge Kipling) were served in proper glassware and at proper temperature. The food was also very good offering a short, but varied menu with lots of things that looked good to this foodie from frites to steak - I had a corque monsieur that was terrific.

Brasserie V is not the place to watch a game and eat piles of generic pub food. It is a place to quaff a well-made and presented beer and perhaps enjoy Belgian-style pub food or fancy fare. If that appeals to you, as it does to me, go to this place!

04-07-2012 12:09:36 | More by slyke

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev -7.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

A: long thin bar with good warm feeling, a few seats at the front window looking out onto Monroe with bar and table seating also, nothing incredibly unusual for atmosphere
Q: beer was served in the appropriate brewery glasses and of the several sampled the quality was good
S: fast and friendly, I initially ordered a Duvel but did not specify the Duvel singel on tap, I was brought a bottle but the server cheerfully took it back and got me the tap even though I should have specified that I wanted the tap
S: good selection, taps included St. Bern Abt, Duvel, Kolsch Petrus Aged Pale, St. Bern Wit and several others, bottled selection was extensive with a great mix but nothing incredibly unusual, just a lot of depth
F: grilled portobello sandwich for $8.50 with a side chickpea salad serving that was approximately two tablespoons in size (really?), my friend had the grilled ham and cheese for $9.00 with pub chips, food was good but nothing outstanding
V: Petrus aged pale tap = $7.50
Duvel Singel tap = $7, Reissdorf Kolsch tap = $6 and St. Bernardus Wit tap = $6

value for food was ok but nothing special, value for taps was average however some bottles 3F Schaarbeekse for $45/750ml was decent considering in stores it's going for $36, probably didn't want the typical markup because it would just sit

09-03-2011 19:49:56 | More by wisrarebeer

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

4.39/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

Was in Madison for the Great Taste of the Midwest and heard rumors that Fou Foune was being tapped here so we headed over as fast as possible. To our luck we got there in time to have a glass before it tapped out.
Overall I was very impressed with the place. Great atmosphere, the place was packed we had to stand at the bar because there were absolutely no seats available. The bartender was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tap list was really solid with a lot of quality Belgium beers. We were there for the Fou Foune so we didn’t even have a chance to look at the menu to see what the place had to offer.
Overall I liked the bar and will gladly return the next time I’m in Madison.

08-17-2011 05:03:18 | More by Chriscrundwell12

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.36/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

This place is right near my buddies house and wow does he have a great albeit pricey place right down the street.

I was in Brussels a few weeks ago and this really reminds me of a Belgian bar. The bartender, who was actually super young looking and probably just over 21 was enjoying a beer as he worked. That is the way it should be.

Most of what you will find here is rare Belgian beers. I first tried to order a Fou Foune but they were out. I noticed a lot of rarities in the bottle menu and they were also pretty damn expensive. They had a nice cheese list which I should have tested but didn't.

The service, selection, and atmosphere here are hard to beat, this might be the best place in Madison I can reccomend.

08-14-2011 14:49:59 | More by crossovert

anell213

Wisconsin

4.46/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Atmosphere: Pretty neat place, but it's not big and is always packed (which I guess is a sign of a good place). But makes for crowded atmosphere.

Quality/Selection: IMO, the best tap/bottle import menu in Madison, maybe Wisconsin.

Service: Hit or miss. While the bartenders are knowledgeable, it's always so busy that you get the sense that you're rushed whenever you ask questions/want a recommendation.

Food: Didn't try, but have heard good things

Value: Quite pricey, but then again the quality is high and you can't get some of their beers anywhere else.

05-05-2011 16:58:43 | More by anell213

adman08

Wisconsin

4.8/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Brasserie V has maybe the best selection of beers in Madison. The taps change regularly and there is a huge selection of bottles. The last time I was there I had St.Bernardus 12 on tap, need I say more? Though I've never tried the food I've checked out the menu and it sounds excellent. It's more European/Belgian based, things like mussels and frites but they also have burgers. As you can imagine the beers they offer are very high end and therefore command a high price but well worth it. The staff is very friendly and they typically have tried most of the beers so they can help with recommendations.

02-24-2011 03:45:43 | More by adman08

richkrull

Wisconsin

4.72/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I stopped in here with my buddy after hitting up the homebrew shop a couple doors down and I'm incredibly happy that we did.

This is a very cool small bar and restaurant. After sitting at the bar, we were a bit taken aback by all of the taps and bottles on the shelves that we have never even heard of. We talked to a couple of the bartenders and learned that their tap selection changes every week. They are constantly bringing in new beers. Knowing this, I was impressed that they had branded glassware to match nearly every beer they had on tap. I tried the Piraat which was very good.

Their bottle selection was also very extensive. We split a bottle of Jewbelation 14 based on the bartenders recommendation and it was great! All of the bartenders and waitresses were very friendly and knowledgeable about all of the beers. We tried some fries as well and they were very good.

I'll definitely be returning here in the near future.

02-08-2011 17:38:09 | More by richkrull

manabozo3

Ohio

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

This place is amazing. We went for dinner after GTMW. The restaurant was crowded however we were able to find room at the bar after 10 min. Meanwhile in that 10 min, we got to the beer. This place had a Shelton Bros. special going that featured Nogone, Mikkeller, Aphrodyte and Peche, and various others. All served in its proper glassware. During dinner we were looking into the bottle menu and this place had 30+ belgian styled/influanced beers lined up. Also they have beers in cellar so if you don't see it ask, they might have it. All in all its a great place to eat. I'll be back for sure!

12-09-2010 22:07:45 | More by manabozo3

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in here with a friend of mine following my interview with Epic. From what I'm told, this is what a Belgian beer bar is supposed to be like, with a kind of cellar-like atmosphere, rather quiet with low-ish lighting and a focus on the Belgian brews. We split a bottle of Mikkeller Black Tie, which was served to us in Buffalo tulips. Good times. We ordered some burgers and a side of fries (complete with two aioli servings), all of which was very tasty. Our waitress was more than attentive, describing some of the beers on-tap and all of the menu entries we inquired into. She was very cheery, pretty quick, and extremely helpful. There may not be many taps, but the beer flowing from them is quality stuff (though I can't now remember specifics). My only issue with the selection was the comparative lack of American offerings, but this is to be expected from a Belgian-focused place. Overall, a very nice little spot to enjoy a pint and a bite. (My buddy, living in Madison for a few months now, had never heard of this place, but now plans on bringing his girlfriend here the next time she's in town...among other future visits. We have a convert, people.)

10-27-2010 21:11:05 | More by TMoney2591