If you’ve ever wanted to eat your way through a state, Wisconsin is the place to do it. America’s Dairyland is home to more than 130 different cheese factories. Many of these are smaller operations that make specialty cheeses. When visiting Wisconsin, a terrific (and delicious) way to spend your time is by taking tours of some of the local cheese factories. You can find suggested itineraries from Wisconsin’s Department of Tourism or through the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Read about some of the top cheese factories to visit in the state, and start planning your Wisconsin cheese tours.
Roth Käse Alp and Dell Cheese Store. This store, located in Monroe, Wisconsin, is known for its Gruyère. The store produces the only traditional Gruyère in the country. The cheese store has its roots in Switzerland, where the Roth family began producing cheeses in the 1860s. The family set up shop in Monroe in 1990. You’ll recognize the plant when you see it, both because of the Swiss-style chalet that it’s housed in and because of the brightly colored – and spotted – statue of a cow out front. The shop offers tours between 9am and 6pm on weekdays, between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays, and between 10am and 5pm on Sundays. Be sure to sample the Moody Blue, the Gran Queso, and Grand Cru Gruyère Reserve.
Widmar’s Cheese Cellars. This third generation cheese plant is located in the city of Theresa, Wisconsin. The plant opened in 1922 and is especially well known for its brick cheeses. Brick cheeses are similar to European washed rind cheeses, and the only authentic brick cheeses in Wisconsin come from Widmar’s. Tours are available on weekdays from 6:30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 7am to 5pm. Between June and October, factory tours are also available on Sundays between 10am and 4pm. The must-try cheeses at Widmar’s, besides the Aged Brick, are the Aged Cheddar and the Colby.
Arena Cheese Factory. Located in the city of Arena, this cheese factory is one of the oldest in the state. The tour of this factory will give you a good overview of the entire process that goes into making cheese. The plant has a viewing area designed to give tour-goers a real inside view of the process. You’ll also have a chance to sample fresh cheese curds after the tour. The factory in Arena is best known for its Co-Jack cheese (otherwise known as Colby Jack cheese) which was invented there. Tours at Arena are available between 8am and 5pm on weekdays and between 9am and 5pm on weekends. After you’re through with the tour, be sure to stop in and browse the factory’s gift shop.
A good complement to your Wisconsin cheese tours is a tour of a Wisconsin brewery. Stop into the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee or the Ale Asylum in Madison for a brewery tour and beer samples. Have a delicious trip!
