We Wisconsinites love our cheddar. Put an orange piece of cheese in front of the average America’s Dairyland Cheesehead, and we don’t think twice about eating the entire block and asking questions later. But what does the average Wisconsin consumer know about goat cheese? Not enough.
That’s all about to change, thanks to Goat Bacchanal: A Celebration of Wisconsin’s Artisan Goat Cheeses – an event planned for Thursday, Sept. 21 from 6-9 p.m. at the Milwaukee Center Atrium at the corner of Water and Kilbourn.
This event is your chance to taste a wide variety of goat milk products – from artisan goat cheeses like Fantome Farm’s fresh chevre, to goat cheddars from Mt. Sterling, to goat yogurt from Caprine Supreme. It’s shaping up to be a modern-day “tribute to the goat” in downtown Milwaukee. Best of all – attendees will get the chance to meet some of the state’s most celebrated cheesemakers.
Participating Wisconsin dairy artisans include:
- Sid Cook, Carr Valley Cheese, LaValle, Wis.
- Felix Thalhammer, Capri Organic Creamery, Blue River, Wis.
- Todd Jaskolski, Caprine Supreme, Black Creek, Wis.
- Diana Murphy, DreamFarm, Cross Plains, Wis. (pictured above)
- Anne Topham, Fantome Farm, Ridgeway, Wis.
- Al Bekkum, Mt. Sterling Cheese Cooperative, Mt. Sterling, Wis.
- Arnaud Solandt, MontChevre, Belmont, Wis.
- Tom Torkelson, Natural Valley Cheese, Hustler, Wis.
- Mike Watters, Sunshine Farms, Portage, Wis.
Event co-coordinator Larry Hedrich, president of the Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association, says the evening will not only be a decadent celebration of great food, but several cheesemakers will showcase newly released cheeses giving attendees the first taste.
Cost is $20 per person and includes all tastings, wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Attendance is limited, so contact Steve Ehlers at Larry’s Market, 800-236-1307 or email steve@larrysmarket.com now to reserve tickets.
