I love fun food field trips. Ben and Jerry’s. Utz Potato Chip factory. Eli’s Cheesecake World. Factory tours are terrifically fun, educational and often very inexpensive or even free. This past weekend we happened to be in Wisconsin and stopped into the Bass Lake Cheese Factory in Somerset. The place isn’t too large, but offers a retail store and tasting room and a great view to glimpse at the cheese making facilities that are attached. There were also many antique dairy and cheese making related tools to discover. Bass Lake Cheese Factory would not allow cameras inside, because of their proprietary cheese making secrets. But, I snapped this cute pic of a dairy tank. I loved that resembled a cow.
Now, the good stuff. I just about fell in love with something called Butter Jack. It was a mild but firm cheese that became more creamy when chewed. There were multiple varieties of this Butter Jack, and one that I especially liked, Butter Jack with Cinnamon.
We loaded up with many different cheese before heading home: Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Colby, Horseradish Gouda (which is already gone), and two types of cheese curds. I tried about a dozen types in the store. Deciding what to buy was no easy task. Want even more cheese? Read Andi's recent post, Apples and Cheese.
Right now I am waiting for dinner to finishing baking, macaroni and cheese made with the Smoked Cheddar Cheese. A bit of bread and a lettuce salad are rounding out tonight’s dinner.
Have you been on a fun food field trip? Tell us about it.