Macho “White Buffalo” moniker probably taken from guitar rocker Ted Nugent, who may imbibe this when hunting season is over. Lackluster hops and faintly sweet grains need better briskness for that cool assumption, instead of staying watery, foamy, and indistinguishable. Brewery defunct: 2007.
All posts by John Fortunato
(CRESTED BUTTE) RODEO OATMEAL STOUT
Strong oatmeal waft enhances coffee-stained chocolate malted stout. Punctual mocha affluence strengthens lingering cherry wood backdrop, adding depth to roasted barley-oats finish. It’s got some kick, too! Brewery defunct: 2007.
CRESTED BUTTE RED LADY ALE
Mellow fruited grain succinctness provides gentle effervescence for black cherry-scented ale. Rich barleywine pleasantries and sour citrus subtleties add to delicate sweetness, but incomplete roasted mocha malt bite lessens its finish. Brewery defunct: 2007.
COTTONWOOD SUMMER MOUNTAIN RED
Stalled fruited malt opening, scant mocha sequel, and mellow dry coffee resin delicately embitter sullen earthy finish that fades fast.
COTTONWOOD LOW DOWN BROWN ALE
Creamy vanilla penetrates ashy tobacco linger, cocoa butter sway, and soured mocha-chocolate roast of clouded tawny medium body. Semi-dry peat-maple-hazelnut confluence indulges well-rounded burnt coffee finish effectively.
COTTONWOOD ENDO INDIA PALE ALE
Sweet sticky cereal malts and powdered mocha counteract burnt wood-toned piney hop dryness of coppery fleshy-laced bitter. Straw wheat insurgence and raw-grained toasting envelop dry orange rind-grapefruit suggestion as diacetyl finish commences.
(COSTA RICA) OLE PILSNER
Cloying clear-toned lightweight places mild wheat-corn adjuncts atop sugar cane midst and woody undertones. Soapy dry finish gradually depletes sharp hop timbre and grapefruit modesty.
(COSTA RICA) CERVEZA PILSEN
Simple fizzy-hopped barleycorn thrust and honeyed lemon stridency end up flat and dull for arid Czech-styled pilsner. Only light-hearted macro-pilsner fans need apply.
(COSTA RICA) CERVEZA IMPERIAL
Generic billowy pearl-headed pale-toned lager maintains easy washed-out appeal. Biscuit-y malt sweetness lags behind fizzy sourdough blandness, lemony snicker, and dry maize finish, bettering insignificant American macrobrews by a strand.
CORSENDONK MONK’S CHRISTMAS ALE
Resilient Grand Marnier mouthfeel and capacious anise nosing lose stamina for sedately alcoholic Holiday treat. Desolate rum-soaked raisin tinge and muted cinnamon-nutmeg spicing squander silky sweet butterscotch elegance to husked wheat backbone. ’13 version: demure cinnamon-spiced brown sugaring and murky fig-date conflux mired by bland crystal malting.
CORSENDONK MONK’S ABBEY PALE ALE
Inspiringly debonair golden-clouded soft-toned Belgian pale ale pours out swirled yeast sinew with zesty citric effervescence, settling to a buttery French-breaded core. Candi-sugared banana, clove, and lemony pineapple provide tranquility to mildewed cellar dankness and carbolic floral-hopped champagne fizz before mildly creamy cotton-candied butterscotch finish offers unsurpassed elegance of a triple bock. Best of class.
CORSENDONK MONK’S ABBEY BROWN ALE
Strong, efficient, frothy-headed, burgundy-hued brown ale with dried fruit theme, silken carbonation, and peppery hop bite creates early barleywine illusion. Black chocolate-raisin midst leads to delicately complex port-burgundy core that’s pure joy. Impressively contoured prune souring and sun-drenched fig sugaring fill out detailed finish.