Fursty Ferret - Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse

woosterbill

Connecticut

2.1/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

500ml clear bottle into a wine glass.

A: Clear copper body under a thin, fleeting off-white head. Less than great.

S: Skunk and caramel malt. It can't have been too hoppy to begin with, as the skunk is reasonable tolerable. Still, I hate skunk.

T: Musty caramel, skunk, and some residual hops bitterness. A least the sweetness outdoes the skunk, but it's still quite bad.

M: Fizzy medium body. Meh.

O: Why oh why do so many British brewers package their beers in clear bottles? Is the skunk a desired aroma and flavor? In the case of this beer, I almost think that was the plan: who wouldn't want a skunky Ferret from Badger? It sounds like something out of Wind in the Willows, but as much as I like that book, this beer lacks all charm.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 16:30:23 | More by woosterbill

DerBayer

Germany

2.17/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

And now for something distinctly average or just below. The colour is a rich amber to ruby but head is very frothy and bubbly not what i would expect of the style.

The smell is weak and faint and doesnt really tell much and the taste is also somewhat non-descript but some hop aromas are present.

Mouthfeel is OK and so is drinkability but nothing great

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2009 19:16:47 | More by DerBayer

laituegonflable

Australia

2.3/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours a slightly apricot-tinged golden colour, minimal beige head, virtually none left though. Still, slow carbonation. Leaves a touch of lace but not much. Very lacklustre appearance.

Slight sticky honey-style malt, maybe German influence, with slight notes of bread yeast, but not overpowering. Light bitterness but doesn't seem natural, and dominant character is that slightly corn-fed malt. Pretty meh, again.

Taste is a lot more organic than I gave it credit for. Flavour is quite malty and slightly earthy, genuine grain character underlying it. Bit of a carbolic soda bitterness creeps through on the mid palate and turns it slightly tart, then a hint of some sort of bitter pang on the back, but not very full of character, more of an afterthought, with a very small amount of bitter hang just lingering at the coda. Not impressed, but it's not as offensive as it might have been.

Mouthfeel is still and lifeless. Maybe a little bit of buoyancy in it but it's dull and uninspired. Overall, a lacklustre and very ordinary brew. Not harsh or unpleasant to drink, but definitely lacking something: like flavour, or ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2009 00:31:12 | More by laituegonflable

tonton

Hong Kong

2.41/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a lagery clear yellow with some white head.

Got this out of the selection of over 60 English Ales on the recommendation of the bar staff who claimed, "All gweilos like this one." Well, I guess all the gweilos she had served thus far have bad taste, or expect a lager.

Smell is very lagery/hoppy. No sweetness or fruitiness on the nose at all. No complex spiciness, woods, or breads. Just bitter hops.

Taste follows the nose. Bitter hops.

Mouthfeel is lagery.

Aftertaste is bitter hops.

I think this is the worst English Pale I've tried. Tastes like an American IPA, without the kick or complexity.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 05:59:14 | More by tonton

kojevergas

California

2.45/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle poured into Grolsch pint glass in low altitude Cork, Ireland. Bottle acquired at Abbott's Alehouse off-license in Cork, Ireland. Reviewed from notes.

As soon as I saw the clear bottle I suspected trouble. No self-respecting brewer would allow a clear (or even green) bottle production line for a beer they believed in.

A: Four finger head of nice cream and thickness. Brilliant retention. Dark copper colour. Pretty appealing.

Sm: Very very light malt. Maybe slight nuts. It's difficult to detect subtle notes with me broken nose.

T: Nice cream underscores malt and some nuts cut by bittering hops - nary but more than a sprinkling. Nicely complex and balanced, but not as bold as it ought to be. Built below average for the style. Where are the bittering hops?

Mf: Smooth and wet.

Dr: Expensive by Irish standards - and rather bland at that. At least the cream is refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 13:39:47 | More by kojevergas

bditty187

Nebraska

2.55/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Clear, dark copper in hue with an amber-bronze highlight but I already knew this because the bottle was clear. No animation. The head was off-white in color, at the apex the foam was a little less than a half-finger in height. Head retention was fair; it subsided to a thin, soapy cap rather quickly. There was a few rings of subsequent lacing, just enough to be noteworthy. Overall, the appearance is satisfactory.

The nose has been slightly affected by the clear bottle. I can get past it. Weak caramel notes, grain, mineral water, and a hint of dull honey/apples. Light potency. The bouquet really doesn’t say much. It is too clean for an ale, especially a British interpretation. It is too neutral to be considered inviting.

The palate is a yawner. Grainy caramel, some mineral twangs, and a smattering of honey and fruit are about all the palate has too offer. There is nominal malty goodness and faint hop bitterness. It does turn juicy at the finish; this saves the beer from complete failure in one sense. I’m burping skunk… that all but kills this beer for me. Is this really an EPA? No way, okay maybe it is (is this really a piss-poor Mild Ale?) but Fursty Ferret is just not a good representation of anything.

Medium-light in body, the carbonation is low and this makes the mouthfeel very sluggish. This beer is not refreshing, which is a shame because a beer with such a modest abv should at least be refreshing!

Is it at least drinkable? No. Every swallow made my stomach fell funny (I wasn’t laughing). For novelty sake this beer was purchased (see: the name and label). Honestly, I didn’t care for this beer. It is sluggish and boring with little redeeming qualities. This bottle was purchased in England and brought back to me thanks to Howard and Lynne. Regardless of my review I need to issue a huge thanks for the effort!

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2005 14:14:06 | More by bditty187

Toddv29424

District of Columbia

2.7/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a dark caramel color with a little head, which leaves a nice lace on the glass then it finally dissipates. The initial taste is much like an English bitter served at room temperature: pretty bland and wheat heavy. The second taste is much more pungent, and tastes like an cider-and-alcohol mixture. This lingers for a few seconds, then the apple and fruits start to emerge more and it warrants another sip. I don't think this beer would complement any food, it is best drunk on its own.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2005 19:24:27 | More by Toddv29424

GreenCard

Oregon

2.73/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Best before Oct '05...

Appearance: light brown, good clarity, medium layer of tannish froth, OK head retention but flattens to a sudsy coating

Aroma: underneath the heavy skunkiness there's malt, marzipan, braeburn apples, hint of honey, strawberries

Flavor: bready malt sweetness with an edge of roast, slight tanginess, leafy hops, finishes dry with an aftertaste of chocolate and crackers

Mouthfeel: medium-light body, fine carbonation, soft texture

Other comments: Another clear-bottled British brew and wham!, you get a big whiff of skunk as soon as it's poured. Slowly, these brewers are starting to transition to brown bottles, but there are still plenty of stragglers holding on to that silly tradition. Not sure what this beer is like without the skunk.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 09:50:59 | More by GreenCard

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

2.75/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A fairly pale brown, pale ale, with no real head, just a thin wispy covering, mostly making a collar around the glass.

This clear 500ml bottle had a best before sometime in 2007, drank sometime in 2006 (December 27th actually).

No strong aroma at first, but as the beer warmed up a sweetness arrived, giving toffee notes.

Dryish taste, but nothing to get excited about, a bitter type taste really, no great hop flavours for me.

Fizzy beer, not a true Pale Ale in aroma or taste, mothfeel weak also.

Not a beer I will be rushing out for.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2006 23:03:28 | More by BlackHaddock

lacqueredmouse

Australia

2.75/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear golden bronze colour, slightly burnished with a filmy bust lightly sticky head of white foam. Lacing is pretty good, but not exceptional. Head being so filmy as it is is a bit of a let down. Otherwise a decent looking brew.

Pleasant light swetness and English hops on the nose. Some dried fig character, cut grass and a pleasant organic skunkiness. It's reasonably thin, overall, but it's not a bad nose all up.

Some caramel and a light straight hop bitterness, weak, but not offensive. Some phenolic characters coming through at the back, which mingle with the caramel sweetness still welling around from the front, leaving a slightly nasty conglomerate at the end of the palate. Mouthfeel is particularly thin, which is a shame, and overall the sweetness comes across as weak and sickly. I'm probably sounding too harsh. It's not actively offensive, but I can't say I'm a huge fan.

It's not incredibly offensive, but the more I drink the more bland it seems to be. The sweetness becomes more cloying, and the hop character, which seemed quite noticeable at the start, has a harder and harder time breaking through. Not particularly enjoyable by the end.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2009 02:51:43 | More by lacqueredmouse

Eramen

Ireland

2.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Tawny, dark golden in colour, a generous volume of carbonation is evident. It comes out of the bottle with a one finger head but this bubbles away after a couple of sips.

S - A rich and very fine woody scent, malts there too, and a sort of cheap candied fruit aroma as well. Pretty strong on the nose.

T - Quite poor actually considering its pleasing aromatic character. There is the malts, sweet fruity elements, sugar, and a adequate bitterness for balance.

MF - Light-medium mouthfeel, a little on the watery side, medium-high carbonation.

O - Started off well enough but sadly it doesn't do it for me. Also the clear bottle is also a bit of a let down, I've had bad experiences with them. My first beer fro this brewer and I'm a bit underwhelmed.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 20:40:17 | More by Eramen

SmashPants

Australia

2.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle: clear 500mL bottle with okay label. The Badger is cute. Bit of a worry that the bottle is clear, coming from England to Aus.

Appearance: nice light orange pale ale. A good two fingers of head. Settles to a thin film, with reasonable lacing.

Aroma: sweetness from some biscuit malts, big floral / citric flavours - orange peel.

Taste: the sweetness continues in the mouth, but the major flavour is certainly the low-hop floral citrus.

Aftertaste: tiny bit of hops in the aftertaste, with a bit of caramel. Overall, far too soft flavours - not much to it.

Mouth feel: very low carbonation creastes a smooth feel. Medium body.

Overall: an expensive English ale. Faint flavours don't help too much - perhaps not my sort of thing. Certainly sessional, but at this price that is not necessarily a good thing. Don't get me wrong - it is not a terrible beer, but all told, not worth it.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 00:57:32 | More by SmashPants

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

2.88/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottled-version. BB date: Aug. 06.
A: like the cask-conditioned version, the colour is orangey-amber
S: pale-malt sweetish aroma dominates the nose, with wild flower's sweetish yet a bit stinky scent, like elderflower-blossom+rhubarb, underneath is a tinge of white-sugary note and some orangey hops; overall very light-weight but refreshing.
T: deeply flowery sweetish flavour pours into the mouth, leading to a faintly citrus hop and a mildly dryish palate at the back of the tongue and introduces some bitterness. Surrounding the mouth is a residual taste of weird, warmish, powdery grains and rhubarb flavouring, like that of some flower-infused teas... come to think of it, the same thing happens to some other Badger's beers, e.g. Golden Glory and Badger's Original--might be the work of their unique treatment of hops?
M: overall the mouthfeel is too light and the texture too thin, with that slightly artificial fizziness not common to a real ale. The ending touch is watery, all the more so if one catches the lack of aftertaste. Thin-bodied and lacking flavour and depth; this beer fails in its bottled-version even harder than on cask. I think the brewery should improve the recipe or leave the resources for other better beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2005 18:22:48 | More by wl0307

morebeergood

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This bottle was one of two gifts given to me by a friend visiting from London. Poured into an imperial pint glass. The body was the color of a shiny new penny. Thin white head, and zero lacing whatsoever. Moderate carbonation at first, then it goes still. Smell had a slight twinge of the euro skunk aroma that accompanies some beers from the continent. Taste was slightly nutty, but I didn't get any of the orange that the label boasts about. Mouthfeel was thin, but expected for the style. Low abv made this a gulper kind of beer. A good session ale from England, but not one to really sip, savor, and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 04:20:40 | More by morebeergood

Raebies

Australia

2.93/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear orange brown with a thin head of foam. Delicious aromas of vanilla and caramel latte. Taste falls a bit flat on the palate, the soft caramel sweetness quickly fades. Not a lot of depth, scarce malt flavour and it's a very thin bodied beer. A pleasant light aftertaste of orange.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 10:56:01 | More by Raebies

Fizzlybear

United Kingdom (England)

2.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

L - Pours a dark copper colour, with a frothy off white head.

S - There was a strong malt smell, with aromas of spiced orange. An average smell.

T - The taste was quite sweet, I picked up on honey and malt with a slight bitter fruitiness (orange and citrus).

M&D - The drinkability of it was not great, it settled slightly heavy on me, but the feel it has was good.

Overall there are better beers in this category to go for.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 10:20:40 | More by Fizzlybear

FreshHawk

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Rusted bronze/Amber color.

S - Has a sweet malt/caramel smell. Light fruitiness (especially apple).

T - Caramel and malts are pretty dominant for the flavors. There is a slight bitterness and floral finish. There is also a very slight fruitiness (similar to the scent). None of these flavors really jump out though.

M - On the light side of medium bodied, Somewhat sweet and dry finish.

D - Not overly drinkable, the finish (dry and sweet) reduce it a bit. But it isn't overly offensive so it is fairly easy to drink.

Notes: Average beer that I don't mind drink but I won't really look for it.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2010 01:01:14 | More by FreshHawk

doktorhops

Australia

3/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse are new to me, and intending to review every beer in the world (not really as it is an insurmountable task) I have a bevy of Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse brews to review. First up is Fursty Ferret, a delightful looking English Pale Ale. As I am quite parched with anticipation let us begin.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: Clear tangelo hue body with a thin white head that sits firm at about 0.5cm.

S: Aroma is an even mixture of dirty/earthy hops and caramel malt base. Hint of bitter orange thrown in as well.

T: The above flavours; dirty/earthy hops, caramel malts and that hint of bitter orange. The hops are a bit floral as well, and the base is sweet, though not over-the-top sweet, it strikes a good balance in flavour but doesn't really wow with anything in particular. Slight tobacco leaf aftertaste in the hops adds a little extra dimension.

M: A bit more carbonated than expected from a traditional EPA. Body is mid to light.

D: Bit average for what you pay/get. At this price range for an EPA I want it to be moreish and highly drinkable and this brew is not even in the same class as something like Hobgoblin, it's a bit "Meh!", disappointing overall.

Food match: Beeradvocate suggests spicy Eastern cuisine for EPA's but I don't think that would mix well with this drop, it's more suited to traditional English fare; roast lamb, pork or chicken with Yorkshire pudding, heavy gravy, mash potato, steamed peas and carrots.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 08:44:23 | More by doktorhops

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.03/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep amber with a small, fading white head.
Nose shows caramel, toffee, butterscotch and some skunky notes.
Similar flavours; butterscotch and toffee mainly. A fair bit of diacetyl too. Seems to fall short rather quickly.
Too much carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 09:16:11 | More by CrazyDavros

EarlNuce

United Kingdom (England)

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: Light golden brown ale. Medium carbonation. Soapy head.

S: Slight orange and spicy hop.

T: Fruity. Orange marmalade. Sweet with hints of malts.

M: Carbonation tingle in the mouth. Not a heavy beer at all.

D: Couldn't drink too many in a night. Too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 21:13:19 | More by EarlNuce

bashiba

Iowa

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

poured a very dirty orange/brown with a light soap ring of a head and tons and tons of big sediment.

Has a very English Malty smell with some light English Hops and a bit of minerals.

The flavor is very mild and malty sweet with a big English mineral flavor and toasty bready malts, very mild English hops presence.

The mouthfeel is light and a bit thin.

Overall a pretty average English beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 00:12:58 | More by bashiba

heygeebee

Australia

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear dark gold one finger head.

Aromas of English style hops, some orange.

Taste is a somewhat hollow experince. Initial English stlye Pale ale sweetness followed by a disjointed bitter hop back palate.

Mouthfeel a bit thin, but that's OK as per style.

Overall, OK. Ish.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 00:51:49 | More by heygeebee

Daredevil

Switzerland

3.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

appearance: tawny, light golden brown color, not very firm head ....

smell: orange zest paired with tar and charcoal ... rather weird I'd say ...

palate: toffee, toffee, bitter orange, gingerbread, whipped cream, did I mention toffee? ... quite carbonic

a very sweet brew, tastes like melted toffee .... the combination of toffee and carbonic acid is a rather perturbing combination, thus the brew lacks a bit of smartness

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 22:45:53 | More by Daredevil

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.13/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Comes in a 500ml clear glass bottle with a BB date of Dec 2011. The label has ferrets on it.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass. A clear golden-amber colour with good carbonation. Rather foamy off-white head that disappears after a minute to leave a surface film. Aroma of golden malt with some light hoppy notes, and some alcohol.

Tastes malty with a hint of caramel and mild bitterness; notes of alcohol are also present. Mouthfeel is smooth and slightly astringent. A bitter aftertaste.

Easy enough to drink, but not particularly noteworthy. The flavour doesn't distinguish itself from the crowd. Will probably pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 23:47:44 | More by jazzyjeff13

charlatan

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.15/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A light chestnut coloured beer with a decent head. It has a clean, grassy nose with a hint of orange peel. The carbonation is a little offputting, giving it rather a flavoured mineral water feel. Beyond that it has a rather light version of the stock Badger taste with a fairly pleasant and not at all fruity hoppy edge. Passable but unspectacular.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 21:22:09 | More by charlatan