Beer like Ferrets?

After sipping on (and thoroughly enjoying) what is a solidly delicious offering from Deschutes Brewery (Red Chair NWPA), J and I had the interesting experience of sampling Widmer's W'11 KGB Russian Imperial Stout. I won't speak for J, who may have had an entirely different experience of this brew, but as for myself:

As a fan of Widmer in general and very impressed with the past incarnations of the "W" series, I was excited to have my taste buds tickled by this latest offering. I was not disappointed; the KGB certainly was a tickler. After presenting itself as a pretty all-around standard Stout, its roasted, malty presence left on a curious note. As its cool, smooth effervescence slid down my gullet, I tasted something furry. Not furry in texture so much as furry in taste -- that distinctly musty flavor distinctive of the scent of fur, particularly wet fur. Now, perhaps this furry flavor was intentional, to remind us of those conspicuously Russian, if not caricatured, fuzzy hats of Siberian traipsing comrades.

Cut to a scene of hard drinking Russians in some hole in the snow refuge from the freezing Siberian winter, their snow encrusted hats melting from the heat of an open fire, à la Indiana Jones and the Raiders Lost Ark. This was not the fur it reminded me of, however. It reminded me of something much less palatable. And what could be less palatable than a damp, furry Russian hat? How about ferrets?

 

Having once owned a ferret, I am thoroughly familiar with the way their particular scent has an uncanny ability to stick in the back of one's nose, almost feeling as though one had tasted it. Perhaps it was this sticking quality that reminded me so inopportunely of ferrets, but a certain underlying mustiness contributed, as well. In the end, I had to laugh. It was quizzical, this taste. I wouldn't call it a bad beer, but not something I would go to frequently, and needless to say, somewhat disappointing considering my high expectations. My taste buds certainly had been tickled, nonetheless.