Censible.

Day #599 V Cense / Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille, Jandrain-Jandrenouille, Belgium
Previously from this brewery: IV Saison, which was just ok.

Hard to believe it's Wednesday again.  Today's review comes from another beer poured at Moeder Lambic pre-cycling.  I chose a big bottle of V Cense, a farmhouse ale from Jandrain-Jandrenouille.  This beer was totally a "roll the dice" beer, as I had ordered something else that was out of stock, and told the waiter (who certainly knew his stuff) to bring me whatever he thought might be close to what I wanted.  It arrived nestled into a wicker basket, and we'd find that many big bottle purchases (750ml) arrived with such fanfare. To show them off? To keep them cool?  Don't know.  Didn't ask.

In the glass, there was a bright amber color and monstrous fluffy white had.  There were aromas of malt, bread, and spice, and when you take a sip you get more of the same.  A dry beer with some malt sweetness, a bit of peppery spice, touches of lemony citrus and hints of tartness.  Solid choice, although not a world class offering in my book.

Wow, this picture SUCKS

Their website is so bad it's actually kind of funny.  Click here, and see why.  Okay, fine, I'll just tell you in case you're lazy.  It's just a picture of the label from their IV Saison.  Nothing else.  Why?  No idea.  Why do they number their beers?  No idea.  I do know that this brewery is in a town smack dab in the middle of Belgium, so there's that.

Thing to Think About Today:
So obviously that website needs some work.  Wait... did I just say work?  Let's think about combining work with my bottle of V and let Dolly Parton close out with her rendition of 9 to 5 from a recent episode of The Today Show.  Congrats for getting through another day of work... one day closer to retirement!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ-bezD_fXM

Well, at least I tried.

Beer #7: Jandrain-Jandrenouille IV Saison/ Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille, Jandrain-Jandrenouille, Belgium
I know what you're thinking: "this blog is totally the most awesome thing to ever happen to the internet!  But I wish the beer list was a bit more adventurous.  I mean, Victory?  Yards?  Brooklyn?  What's next, Yuengling?  Call me when they drink something not sold at the Wegman's in Malvern."

Consider it done.  You have any Jandrain-Jandrenouille in your fridge at home?  No?  Didn't think so.

Spent the afternoon at TJ's Everyday in Paoli, where they have 36 beers on draft and a wealth of other great options by the bottle.  Figured a farmhouse ale would be a nice, light & flavorful way to get the day started.   Eh... not entirely.  Tried a new beer that I've never sampled before from a brewery that I've never heard of before (as it turns out, the brewery is only 3 years old).  For a saison, it was fairly underwhelming.  It lacked any great flavor, really, and came off as slightly bitter but rather nondescript.  I was expecting a bit more, and it made me sad that I could have had something else for my hard earned dollar.  Such is the fate of the beer adventurer, I suppose.  Next time I want a saison, I'll grab a Saison Dupont instead.

Thing To Think About Today:
While sitting at the bar, we managed to catch a some college basketball on tv.  This is the first hoops I've seen from the young season (Temple vs. Texas).  I've been playing basketball since I was 8 or 9, and I still love the sport.  So, we'll leave you with maybe the best call from one of the best announcers ever, Bill Raftery.  Send it in, Jerome!  I love Gus Johnson, but Bill is old school at it's finest.