A top-down look at a halved MouCo ColoRouge—showcasing the award-winning rind where three microbes work in harmony to create its signature dusty bloom, deep orange tones, and just-right funk.

MouCo ColoRouge®

Award-Winning Colorado-Made Washed-Rind Cheese

MouCo ColoRouge – Smooth Now, Wild Later

Soft, buttery, and just a little untamed, MouCo ColoRouge® is a washed-rind cheese with a creamy heart and a vivid red-orange rind that deepens in character as it ages.

Born from a simple question—could we make a washed-rind cheese that was bold, beautiful, and truly our own?—ColoRouge grew out of years of fermentation craft, from bread and beer to wine and cheese. Its rind is alive with cultures working in symbiosis, shaping the texture, aroma, and rhythm of how the wheel matures.

What started as an experiment has become one of MouCo’s most award-winning cheeses—and a true symbol of Colorado fermentation.

MouCo ColoRouge®®

Washed-rind and soft-ripened, ColoRouge is MouCo’s bold expression of balance. Made with fresh Colorado cow’s milk, it begins smooth and mellow, then ripens into savory, nutty depth with just enough boldness to show what washed-rind cheeses can be.

We’re after complexity, not domination. ColoRouge evolves with nuance and character—without trying to own your refrigerator. It’s not here to prove anything. It’s simply doing what it does best—really, really well.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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H
Heather

I’m a soft cheese fan and Colorouge is my favorite! It has a robust nutty flavor with a slight tang that I like to enjoy it on its own without disrupting its uniqueness with a cracker - but it’s also tasty on a crispy vehicle of your choice. It’s a great companion to wine, red, white or sparkling, or beer lovers too. When I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll make a deluxe grilled cheese or panini with it. 😋 🤩

B
Bonnie J.
MouCo ColoRouge

Colorouge is the perfect example of Colorado terroir. To me, it brings images of stepping out onto a farmhouse porch at a quiet summer’s dawn. It’s meaty, farmy, dewy, and oh so smooth.

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The Story Behind the Wheel

Cheese Ripening: Applying surface culture to MouCo ColoRouge—three distinct microbes working together to build texture, aroma, and a rind that nurtures flavor.

🍞 ColoRouge: Built on Fermentation, Not Hype

“Bread taught me work and flow, beer taught me yeast, lol, and to work... Wine and wood taught us to work together with patience. Cheese brought it all together.” - Robert, MouCo Co-Founder

ColoRouge didn’t come first, but it came with intention. This is where years of fermentation practice finally had room to get bold—not chaotic bold, but balanced bold, complex bold, alluringly bold.

It’s what happens when you understand how microbes behave, when you care how the rind breathes, and when you want a cheese that tastes like it comes from somewhere real.

🧀 Washed-Rind, Surface-Ripened
🐄 100% Local Cow’s Milk
🧫 Crafted with Fermentation Intention
🧼 No Additives or Preservatives

Learn How We Make It

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MouCo ColoRouge - A Flavor Journey

Discover how texture, flavor, and aroma deepen as the cheese ripens

🟢 Young and Mellow

(0–3 weeks) ColoRouge begins smooth and creamy, with a mild buttery flavor and just a whisper of tang. The rind is still early in its life, keeping the profile gentle and clean. Approachable and soft-spoken, it hints at the complexity waiting to unfold.

🟡 Creamy and Savory

(3–7 weeks) The paste softens, flavors deepen, and roasted, nutty notes begin to show. The aroma gains quiet confidence as the rind cultures get to work, shaping both texture and character. Wrinkles appear, marking a cheese that’s coming into its own.

🟠 Bold Not Bossy

(7–8+ weeks) At peak ripeness, ColoRouge shows off. Earthy flavors rise to the front, layered over buttery richness and aromatic depth. It’s bold but balanced—complex enough to stir curiosity, approachable enough to share. Or not.

🟢 Young and Mellow

(0–3 weeks) ColoRouge begins smooth and creamy, with a mild buttery flavor and just a whisper of tang. The rind is still early in its life, keeping the profile gentle and clean. Approachable and soft-spoken, it hints at the complexity waiting to unfold.

🟡 Creamy and Savory

(3–7 weeks) The paste softens, flavors deepen, and roasted, nutty notes begin to show. The aroma gains quiet confidence as the rind cultures get to work, shaping both texture and character. Wrinkles appear, marking a cheese that’s coming into its own.

🟠 Bold Not Bossy

(7–8+ weeks) At peak ripeness, ColoRouge shows off. Earthy flavors rise to the front, layered over buttery richness and aromatic depth. It’s bold but balanced—complex enough to stir curiosity, approachable enough to share. Or not.
🧀 Want to know where your ColoRouge is on its flavor journey?

Check the d8code on your cheese label —

MouCo’s built-in flavor map. 🗺️
Cheese Ripening: Racks of award-winning MouCo ColoRouge aging to perfection—Colorado-born rounds with vibrant orange rinds and bold, savory depth.

What's a d8Code?

Each wheel of MouCo ColoRouge carries a sticker with three dates printed on it.

These dates track how the cheese’s flavor and texture evolve over time—so you can enjoy it at the stage that fits your taste.

Made today? Your ColoRouge’s d8code is...

Batch Code: 20250830

🟢 Fresh and Tangy: September 13, 2025

🟡 Creamy and Soft: September 27, 2025

🟠 Enjoy with Friends by: November 8, 2025

Whether you like a bright tang or buttery melt...
...the date code gives you the control!

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Smooth complexity now, washed-rind wild later.
— No doubt...
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MouCo ColoRouge® Awards

2016 Los Angeles International Dairy - ColoRouge awarded Gold
2016 Los Angeles International Dairy - ColoRouge awarded Gold
2009 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 2nd
2009 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 2nd
2004 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 1st
2004 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 1st
2020 World Cheese Awards - ColoRouge awarded Bronze
2020 World Cheese Awards - ColoRouge awarded Bronze
2023 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 3rd
2023 ACS - ColoRouge awarded 3rd
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Want to try it for yourself?

MouCo ColoRouge®

$8.00
MouCo ColoRouge Cheese Label

Ships Insulated with Cold Gel

Made in Fort Collins, Colorado

Packed with Love

Clean ingredients, real milk, real time