Andy Montoya
Green Bay, Wisconsin, also known as America's Dairyland, has a rich history of cheese-making and produces over 3.37 billion pounds of cheese annually. The region is known for its cheese curds, which are mild in flavor and squeaky when fresh, and can be found deep-fried on restaurant menus across Green Bay. Award-winning cheese manufacturers like BelGioioso Cheese, Renard's Cheese, Vern's Cheese, and more, offer a wide variety of cheese specialties, including Italian artisan cheeses, flavor-infused cheeses, and Wisconsin's famous string cheese. A visit to Green Bay is incomplete without indulging in its renowned cheese culture and discovering the best cheese curds and specialties the region has to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese types | Cheese curds, string cheese, smoked string cheese, mozzarella, Port Wine cheddar spread, sharp cheddars, creamy bries, pepper jack, gouda, blue cheese, and more |
| Cheese manufacturers and shops | BelGioioso Cheese, Renard's Cheese, Vern's Cheese, Cady Cheese, Simon's Cheese, Kingston Creamery, Amish Cheese House, Mullins, Louie's Finer Meats, and more |
| Awards | BelGioioso Cheese and Renard's Cheese are award-winning manufacturers |
| Other features | Free wine and cheese tastings, old-fashioned cheesemaking methods, drive-thru cheese shop, fresh and locally sourced ingredients |
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What You'll Learn
Award-winning BelGioioso Cheese
Wisconsin is known as "America's Dairyland" and produces over 3.37 billion pounds of cheese annually. Green Bay, Wisconsin, is home to the award-winning cheese manufacturer BelGioioso Cheese. This company handcrafts Italian artisan cheeses using fresh Wisconsin cow's milk from within 30 miles of its cheese plant. BelGioioso Cheese ensures freshness by sourcing milk from antibiotic and hormone-free cows fed a natural diet of corn and alfalfa. The company has expanded to nine manufacturing facilities without compromising the quality and taste of its products.
BelGioioso Cheese has earned numerous accolades at prestigious competitions, including the World Cheese Awards, World Championship Cheese Contest, American Cheese Society, U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, and Wisconsin State Fair Cheese & Butter Contest. In 2022, they won first place in the Championship Cheese Contest and the World Championship Cheese Contest. They also received first-place honours from the American Cheese Society in 2021 and 2023. BelGioioso Cheese's consistent recognition underscores its commitment to quality and traditional cheesemaking methods.
BelGioioso offers a diverse range of cheeses, including Fresh Mozzarella, a soft and delicate variety that enhances the flavour of sandwiches and snacks. Their Ricotta Salata provides a unique texture, and their Mascarpone, Fontina, Parmesan, Provolone, and Romano cheeses are also noteworthy. The company's headquarters in southeast Green Bay showcases a wide variety of their cheeses, and their distribution network ensures their products are accessible to grocers across the nation.
BelGioioso Cheese's dedication to quality and traditional craftsmanship has solidified its reputation as an award-winning cheesemaker. Their commitment to using fresh, natural ingredients and their expansion without sacrificing quality have earned them recognition in the cheese industry. With their diverse range of Italian artisan cheeses, BelGioioso has become a renowned name in the world of cheese, contributing to Green Bay's reputation as a haven for cheese enthusiasts.
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Renard's Cheese: 50+ flavour-infused cheeses
Green Bay, Wisconsin, is known as "America's Dairyland" and produces over 3.37 billion pounds of cheese each year. The region has a rich history of cheese-making and is known for its cheese curds, which are a type of fresh cheese with a "squeaky" texture. One of the notable cheesemakers in the region is Renard's Cheese, a fourth-generation, family-owned business established in 1961.
Renard's Cheese offers over 100 varieties of Wisconsin Artisan Cheese, including more than 50 flavour-infused specialty cheeses. The Renard family is committed to crafting quality, gourmet cheese and has maintained the same traditional recipe over the years. Their selection includes classics like Cheddar, Colby, Farmers, Muenster, Brick, Marble, and Monterey Jack, as well as creative flavour-infused varieties.
Some of the unique flavour combinations offered by Renard's Cheese include Cherry Cheddar, Cranberry Jalapeno Monterey Jack, and Wisconsin Beer Cheddar. They also produce award-winning cheeses, such as their Farmers Cheese with Pesto, which won Best of Class in the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest.
In addition to their innovative specialty cheeses, Renard's Cheese also offers the traditional Wisconsin favourite—cheese curds. These fresh curds are known for their "squeaky" texture and can be enjoyed straight from the bag as a snack or added to burgers or pizzas.
Renard's Cheese welcomes visitors to their Algoma cheese factory in Door County, where they can sample free wine and cheese seven days a week. For a small charge, visitors can also learn about the factory's old-fashioned cheesemaking methods and take a selfie with Melvin the Mouse, their mascot.
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Vern's Cheese: extensive selection of over 140 varieties
Green Bay, Wisconsin, also known as "America's Dairyland", is famous for its cheese. The state produces over 3.37 billion pounds of cheese annually, and Green Bay has a rich history of cheese-making. Cheese curds, the finished product of cheddar before it is made into blocks, are a must-try delicacy in the region.
Verns Cheese, a family-owned business, has been operating since 1964. They have a charming retail store in Chilton, Wisconsin, a short drive from Green Bay. Verns Cheese boasts an extensive selection of over 140 cheese varieties, ranging from creamy bries to sharp cheddars, American, Asiago, Colby, Feta, Gouda, and many more. They also offer aged cheddars, with each cheese having a unique flavour profile based on their aging time, which ranges from 2 to 20 years.
Verns Cheese is highly regarded for its quality products, extensive variety, and customer satisfaction. They support local artisans and producers by offering over 40 Wisconsin-made products, including cured meats, craft beers and wines, specialty sodas, baking mixes, sauces, and spice mixes. Verns Cheese also has a unique recipe for string cheese with a pronounced salty flavour and a dry, firm texture. Their best-selling string cheese is available in smoked and fresh varieties.
Verns Cheese also offers a private label option, where customers can choose where their cheese is made, and Verns facilitates the process. Customers can buy Wisconsin cheese online across the nation, with shipping options in Styrofoam coolers with reusable ice packs to maintain freshness. Verns Cheese has received numerous positive reviews, with many customers praising the quality and flavour of their products.
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Ellsworth Co-Op Cheese: amazing cheese curds
Green Bay, Wisconsin, also known as "America's Dairyland," has a rich history of cheese-making. One of the most famous cheese products from the region is cheese curds—the finished product of cheddar before it is made into blocks. Cheese curds are mild in flavor and squeaky to the bite when fresh. Deep-fried cheese curds are a popular appetizer or side dish in the region.
One of the most renowned cheese curd producers in Green Bay is the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery offers high-quality, world-famous cheese curds from Wisconsin, the nation's cheese curd capital. Their cheese curds are crafted with rBST-free milk from 250 family farms across Wisconsin and Minnesota. The unique packaging process removes oxygen from the bags while keeping the cheese loosely packaged, resulting in a shelf life of over six months for refrigerated and unopened cheese curds. The longer the cheese remains sealed, the richer the cheddar flavor becomes.
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery's cheese curds are made with the highest-quality ingredients and over 100 years of cheese-making experience. They offer a variety of flavors, including Natural, Ranch, Garlic, Hot Buffalo, Cajun, Taco, Dill Pickle, Hickory Bacon, and more. The cheese curds are vegetarian-friendly, containing no animal rennet. They are also high in calcium and protein, with no added sugars, carbs, trans fats, or gluten.
In addition to their classic cheese curds, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery also offers flavored cheese curds. The Cajun cheese curds, for instance, are made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and a blend of Cajun seasonings, including dehydrated garlic, spices, paprika, red pepper, and dehydrated onion. The Dill Pickle cheese curds incorporate dill pickle seasoning, while the Garlic cheese curds are infused with granulated garlic.
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Simon's Cheese: unbelievable 17-year-aged cheddar
Green Bay, Wisconsin, also known as "America's Dairyland," has a rich history of cheese-making. One of the famous cheese manufacturers in Green Bay is Simon's Specialty Cheese, which offers fresh cheese curds on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. While I could not find specific details about Simon's 17-year-aged cheddar, I can provide some information about the cheese culture in Green Bay and a similar 17-year-old cheddar from a different manufacturer.
Greater Green Bay has a long tradition of cheese-making, satisfying local palates and cheese enthusiasts from across the nation. Cheese curds, the final product before cheddar is formed into blocks, are a must-try when visiting Green Bay. They are mild in flavor and have a unique squeaky texture when fresh. Deep-fried cheese curds are a popular menu item in the region and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or alongside a burger or sandwich.
Award-winning cheese manufacturer BelGioioso Cheese is another renowned cheese producer in Green Bay. They handcraft Italian artisan cheeses using fresh Wisconsin cow's milk sourced from within 30 miles of their plant. BelGioioso Cheese prioritizes quality and taste, ensuring each batch receives proper timing and care. Their cheeses can be found at grocers across the country.
Renard's Cheese, located in Algoma, is a third-generation cheese factory known for its creative and specialty cheeses. They offer over 50 flavor-infused varieties, including Cherry Cheddar, Cranberry Jalapeno Monterey Jack, and Wisconsin Beer Cheddar. Renard's offers free wine and cheese tastings seven days a week, and visitors can also register to tour the factory and learn about their old-fashioned cheesemaking methods.
Gardners Wisconsin Cheese offers a 17-year-old super-sharp cheddar that is a rare and exceptional treat. This cheddar is incredibly rich, creamy, smooth, and impeccably sharp. It is perfect for those who want to indulge and spoil themselves. The cheese is lactose-free and pairs well with artisan meats, such as garlic summer sausage, and drinks like whiskey, pilsner, and champagne.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Green Bay is known for its cheese, and Wisconsin produces more than 3.37 billion pounds of cheese each year.
Vern's Cheese, Renard's Cheese, and Simon's Cheese are all popular cheese shops in Green Bay.
BelGioioso Cheese, Renard's Cheese, and Cady Cheese are all well-known cheese factories in the region.
Green Bay is known for its cheese curds, deep-fried cheese curds, and string cheese.
