By Kristine Hansen | Photo courtesy Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Since Wisconsin crafts 500 different varieties of cheese, picking a selection can be mind-boggling. Instead of letting your palate guide you, consider your personality.
Trend-Setter — Quark
CLOCK SHADOW CREAMERY, MILWAUKEE
One of only two urban creameries in the country, this outpost in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood makes a rare quark (plain and flavored cheese) that’s fresh and spreadable. Clock Shadow typically offers tours, but they may still be suspended due to COVID-19. clockshadowcreamery.com
Cool + Classic — Cheese Curds
ROELLI CHEESE HAUS, SHULLSBURG
Fourth-generation owner and Master Cheesemaker Chris Roelli’s time-tested recipes churn out cheddar curds so fresh they squeak. roellicheese.com
Traditionalist — Master’s Reserve Cheddar Cheese
CARR VALLEY CHEESE, LA VALLE
Crafted by fourth-generation Master Cheesemaker Sid Cook, who has won at least 800 awards for his cheeses, this slightly aged cheese was added to Carr’s offerings in 2019. carrvalleycheese.com
Minimalist — Mild Brick
WIDMER’S CHEESE CELLARS OF WISCONSIN, THERESA
Now in its fourth generation, Joe and Joey Widmer make a non-fussy, but oh-so-good, brick that’s crafted in the original factory Joe’s family founded in 1922. widmerscheese.com
Globe-Trotter — Marieke Gouda
HOLLAND’S FAMILY CHEESE, THORP
When Netherlands-born Marieke Penterman moved to Wisconsin in the early 2000s, she missed her Gouda so much that she began making her own. She earned national and international awards right out of the gate — garnering her first just six months after launching her business. mariekegouda.com
Sports Buff — Triple Play
HOOK’S CHEESE COMPANY, MINERAL POINT
This blend of sheep, cow and goat milks (baby Swiss, Gouda and Havarti) is an homage to a rare three outs during a single play — which has only happened 727 times in Major League Baseball history. Owner and Master Cheesemaker Tony Hook’s genius cheese idea nabbed third place in 2015 at two cheese championships. hookscheese.com
Life of the Party — El Sancho Diablo
CESAR’S CHEESE, SHEBOYGAN FALLS
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, cheesemaker Cesar Luis folds in two of the hottest peppers (scorpion and ghost peppers) for some major heat in this cheddar. wisconsincheese.com/wi-cheese-companies
Daredevil — Limburger
CHALET CHEESE COOPERATIVE, MONROE Founded by five farmers in 1885, this co-op is the only remaining U.S. producer of Limburger, although a half-century ago, about 100 Wisconsin creameries made this extremely pungent soft, ripened cheese. Hold your nose if you dare! chaletcheesecoop.com
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