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USA TODAY 10Best

Enjoy the best cheese in Wisconsin at these 10 spots

Head to America's Dairyland for a cheesy getaway
Zoë Björnson

January 13, 2020 // By Zoë Björnson

By Zoë Björnson
January 13, 2020

 

Dairy cows graze a pastureDairy cows graze a pasture — Photo courtesy of iStock / steverts

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Happy cows don’t just come from California anymore. America's Dairyland a.k.a. Wisconsin, has been producing delicious, award-winning cheese for years and it's time to get a piece of the wheel.

Wisconsin boasts many unique creameries that specialize in everything from cheese curds to aged gouda. Hop in the car and make your own cheesy road trip or just visit one shop to stock up on your cheese essentials; you won't be disappointed.

Here are 10 of the best spots in Wisconsin to truly become a cheesehead!

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Emmi Roth + Alp and Dell | Monroe

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Feeling holey in SWISS-consin. 🙏 Learn about Green County's cheesy heritage on #DiscoverWisconsin. Link in bio! | 📷 by @rodriguesmatt

A post shared by Discover Wisconsin (@discoverwisconsin) on May 10, 2019 at 12:06pm PDT

Get transported to Switzerland with a visit to the Emmi Roth cheese factory. Visitors are welcome to take a full factory tour of one of Wisconsin’s biggest cheese producers, and even take a peek at the cheesemaking process. Don’t forget to make a post-tour stop at Alp and Dell, Emmi Roth’s shop, which carries over 100 cheeses for you to take home.

Fromagination | Madison

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Have an occasion that could use a cheese plate, but don't have the time to prepare one yourself? We've got you covered. We offer cheese plates, charcuterie, and sandwich trays for any occasion!

A post shared by Fromagination (@fromagination) on Oct 20, 2019 at 10:06am PDT

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Right in the heart of Madison lies the cutest little cheese shop around. Fromagination carries so many delicious artisan cheeses from Wisconsin and beyond, plus just about every accoutrement you could imagine.

This petite shop also offers specialty classes (curious about British Isles cheeses?) and pairing classes (beer and cheese, anyone?) for the real curd nerds out there. Fromagination is the perfect spot to shop for any foodies in your life.

Food & Travel: Beer cheese was invented in Kentucky (and there's a trail)

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Old Rittenhouse Inn | Bayfield

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Jamaica me caprese! #oldrittenhouseinn #seewhatididthere #lunch

A post shared by Old Rittenhouse Inn (@rittenhouseinn) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

If you’re looking for a cheese-filled meal at a picturesque Victorian inn, the Old Rittenhouse Inn probably checks all your boxes and more. Their menu features artisan Wisconsin cheeses beautifully woven throughout for unique local flavors and delicious comfort food. See if you can get cheese in every course – we dare you.

Wisconsin Cheese Mart | Madison + Milwaukee

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Not to be cheesy, but I miss Milwaukee dairy much 🧀

A post shared by ashley (@ashleydeolive) on Dec 6, 2018 at 4:38pm PST

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If you’re looking to stock up on some of the finest cheddars Wisconsin has to offer, this is where to go. The Wisconsin Cheese Mart boasts a wide selection of small batch and classic cheeses; you can even pick up a cow-shaped piece of cheddar as a parting gift.

Right next door at the Milwaukee location is the Uber Tap Room, where you're invited to wash down your freshly selected cheese with a local brew.

Marieke Gouda | Thorp

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If you haven't been to our farm you may not know that we have a giant 14ft cow statue, Dutchess, outside our barn! 😍 Dutchess has been known to take pretty good selfies with you too! If you've ever taken a selfie with her tag us or use the #mariekegouda! 👇 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * #cowsmakemehappy #cowsgomoo #animallover #rawmilk #rawmilkcheese #farmlifebestlife #farmlifestyle #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #artisancheese #farmlifestyle #outdoorliving #wisconsinoutdoors #travelwisconsin #animallovers #cowsarecute #cowsofinstagram #cowstagram #wisconsindairyfarm #wisconsindairy #dairyfarm #cowselfie #cowselfies #discoverwisconsin #visitwisconsin

A post shared by Marieke Gouda (@mariekegouda) on Sep 30, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

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Get a little piece of Holland right in the heart of Wisconsin with a visit to Marieke Gouda. A stop by their farm can be a family affair, with activities from soccer to bouncing pillows (not full of cheese, unfortunately), and of course, cheesemaking tours.

Make a pit stop at the Café Dutchess to try their grilled Gouda sandwich or Gouda nachos.

Clock Shadow Creamery | Milwaukee

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Help!! We have too many curds!! With the #polarvortex and reduced hours this week we have ended up with a whole bunch of curds. Everything from last week is 50% off which means they’re $3.00 a bag!! We also have some 1# bags of white curds from this week that are a bargain at $6.00/bag. When they’re gone they’re gone so stop in soon. #curdorama #urbancreamery #halfpricecurds #feelthesqueak #curdvortex #curdsforlife #superbowlfood #supercurds #wisconsincheese

A post shared by Clock Shadow Creamery (@clockshadowcreamery) on Feb 1, 2019 at 10:19am PST

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Just making a short trip to the "grate" state of cheese and craving the squeakiest cheese curds you can find? Head over to Clock Shadow Creamery, a.k.a. Milwaukee’s first and only cheese factory. To get all your cheese curd questions answered, you can take a tour of the creamery and sample their fresh cheeses for just $3. Available every day but Sundays.

Carr Valley Cheese | Multiple Locations

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Our Master Cheesemakers, Sid Cook and Bob Koenig! The title is only reserved for the top cheesemakers and is rigorous—requiring over 10 years experience to just enroll in the program! #mastercheesemaker #cheesemaker #cheese #wisconsincheese #bestofthebest #awardwinning #specialtycheese #chefs

A post shared by Carr Valley Cheese (@carrvalley) on Sep 9, 2018 at 10:35am PDT

To taste cheese made the old-fashioned way, head to Carr Valley Cheese. Cheesemaker Sid Cook and his family have been making cheese since the 1880s. Their award-winning cheeses range from classic bread cheese to the unique goat cheddar.

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With over 8 locations throughout Wisconsin, you can get your cheese fill just about anywhere in the state.

Baumgartner's Cheese | Monroe

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Wisconsin lunch. Spicy Bloody with beer chaser, limburger and onion on dark rye with horseradish sauce. Yum, yum. #travelwisconsin #travelwi #holdyournose #sinuscleaner #sconnie

A post shared by Kay Collins (@cheersmilwaukee) on May 27, 2019 at 12:16pm PDT

Now, it’s time for a little cheese history. Baumgartner's Cheese is the oldest cheese store in Wisconsin and they serve up the most delicious cheese sandwiches. Stop in for a thick slice of cheese (your choice!) on rye bread with housemade horseradish mustard.

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All that’s missing is a local beer – and maybe even something harder – to wash it down.

Food Culture: Everything you need to know about a Wisconsin fish boil

Widmer’s Cheese Cellars | Theresa

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Widmer's Cheese Cellars, cheese curd production at Clockshadow Creamery, and Cream City (Milwaukee). Day 3 of the Cheesemonger Invitational winners' trip with @wisconsincheese. What a great trip, y'all!

A post shared by Courtney C Johnson (@thephcheese) on Oct 10, 2019 at 8:19am PDT

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Widmer’s specializes in brick cheese, cheddar and Colby – simple, but to the point. A visit to their retail store in Theresa, Wisconsin takes you back in time. Watch as cheesemakers stir the curds, making the magical, delicious cheese you’re about to sample.

Mars Cheese Castle | Kenosha

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Pit stop on the way home from a Homebot meeting in Milwaukee. #cheesequeen #marscheesecastle #wisconsin

A post shared by Barbara Domin (@barbara_domin) on Sep 12, 2019 at 1:24pm PDT

The Mars Cheese Castle got the memo: all cheese belongs in a castle. Stop in to try some of their famous cheese bread, or just peruse all of the royal cheeses. Their dramatic space, fit for kings and queens, features a bakery, deli and all the beer and wine you could ever need.

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From farmers markets to food halls, where are your favorite places to enjoy local food?

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Zoë Björnson

About Zoë Björnson

Zoë Björnson is a traveler and cheese lover, always down to help you discover your new favorite cheese.

Read more about Zoë Björnson here.

Connect with Zoë via: Website | Instagram | Twitter


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