This post may contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase via our links. See our disclosure for more information.
Wondering if Cheese Brothers is worth the price? As a former cheesemonger, I tried nearly every flavor and hosted cheese tastings to find out. See my honest review before you order!
Ever wish your grocery store cheddar had more personality? Cheese Brothers has been popping up everywhere lately with their bold flavors, cheeky branding, and that Midwestern charm. But is it really worth the price tag, or just another social media trend?
As a former cheesemonger and lifelong Wisconsin cheese nerd, I decided to find out for myself. I bought three gift packs, hosted cheese tastings, and took detailed notes so you don’t waste a single crumb – or dollar.
Full disclosure: I purchased this cheese with my own money. It was not gifted to me or discounted for a promotion. After trying it, I did apply to be an affiliate with the company and am including affiliate links below.
Growing up, I visited Wisconsin creameries all over the state and even eventually became a cheesemonger.
I’m pretty sure this classifies me as a worthy reviewer with both personal and professional skin in the game.
So, I splurged. I ordered three gift packs – two for Father’s Day and one for me. I’ve been working my way through them and want to share my experience to help you make the best buying decision, too.
What is Cheese Brothers?
Cheese Brothers is the name for a creamery out of Barron, Wisconsin.
Although their branding is cute and kitschy, they actually have the skills to back it up.
One of the main owners is a 4th generation cheesemaker, and you can tell how much pride they have in their business. They follow old-fashioned, traditional methods and focus on flavor.
The company started back in 2015 at farmers markets and street fairs, which is the perfect place to get lots of feedback and refine your product. Clearly, they’re doing something right!
Plus, they still focus on building relationships and supporting the community. This isn’t just another brand out there trying to get your money; they’re the real deal.
Quick Take: Is Cheese Brothers Worth It?
Yes – if you’re looking for unique flavors, bold cheeses, and a great gift option. Not your everyday fridge filler, but perfect for cheese lovers who want to shake things up.
Why I decided to splurge on Cheese Brothers cheeses
My whole family is from Wisconsin and I spent my childhood driving around the state, stopping at local creameries for squeaky cheese curds.
As my palate refined over the years, I started wanting something more than fresh cheese and started to seek out aged cheeses and unique blends.
Unfortunately, many small-scale creameries focused on just the quickest cheeses to make and although the flavors were good, they weren’t quite what I was looking for.
When I became a cheesemonger in my 20s, I admit to becoming a cheese snob.
Those squeaky Wisconsin cheeses just didn’t seem to compare with washed rind French cheeses or exquisite blues.
Although I love fancy cheeses too, we tend to eat mostly cheddar, which we use in sandwiches, scrambled eggs, and so much more.
We don’t necessarily need expensive cheeses and splurge on them every once in a while.
To me, Cheese Brothers seemed like a fun way to relive those memories eating fresh Wisconsin cheeses while, hopefully, getting to try some less common varieties and extra-flavorful options.
They seemed like the perfect option for gift giving and really just shaking things up a bit.
Cheese Brothers Pros and Cons
After much consideration, I ended up buying the Ultimate Wisconsin Cheese Sampler.
It included about 15 different types of cheese, plus I got a free piece of 8-year aged cheddar to try as well.
That seemed like a pretty good way to try almost everything and give you a thorough review.
Pros
- Variety – There are so many different flavors to try. I love that they have more than just one spicy cheese and that they aren’t afraid to play with uncommon flavors. It makes it fun to try them all and they’re really great for gifting.
- Bold flavors – I like things full of flavor. Subtle can do sometimes, but for cheese? I want to know it’s there, especially if it’s for tasting. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much flavor they snuck into their cheeses. I tried the Dill Havarti early on and was excited about how much flavor they packed into it!
- Small scale producers – This is how Wisconsin cheese is supposed to be.
- Great branding – I can’t help it; I think the labels are great!
Cons
- Not local – Wisconsin might be my homeland, but I live in Washington. This cheese has to collect some serious airline miles to make it here. I see myself ordering from them every once in a while as a special treat and choosing more regional options at other times.
- Convenience – Although they ship their fresh curds daily, you do need to order ahead of time. No last minute runs to the store.
- Small sizes – We normally buy our cheese 5 pounds at a time. These smaller packages are great for sampling, but I want a massive hunk of cheese.
- Limited range – Remember how I mentioned that small-scale creameries usually stick to the quicker cheeses? Well, Cheese Brothers does have some aged cheeses, including parmesan, gruyere, and cheddar, but they don’t really offer everything. At this time, they don’t offer any soft-ripened cheeses or blue cheese. That’s okay.
Where to Buy Cheese Brothers
These cheeses are only available online and in select stores. Shop their website for their full roster of cheeses, sausages, and more.
Best Cheese Brothers Flavors (So Far!)
We’re still working our way through *everything* we got in our Cheese Brothers sampler pack, but there were some clear favorites right away.
(We’ve been holding cheese sampling parties, and it’s been fun.)
- 8-Year Aged Cheddar – Nice, bold sharpness. I was honestly wowed by this one. It was sharp enough to give you that funkiness, but mild enough even for kids. Perfect for eating with fresh apples and savoring every bite.
- Bluegrass Bourbon Gouda – I love the extra layer of flavor you get from the bourbon. It melts well, but I was happy to eat it right off the cheese tray.
- Dill Havarti – This is the first cheese I tried and I was impressed by how much flavor they were able to pack in there! So much herby goodness.
- Honey Sriracha – I was a little worried about how hot this one might be, but the sweet heat was top notch. Great option for melting in a quesadilla for a little heat!
We’re partial to smoked cheeses, especially since they add extra flavor to everything. (No, I don’t count these as “fancy cheeses” and my formerly snobbish cheesemonger self would maybe look down on this, but it’s what we like.)
I like that they have a wide variety of smoked cheeses, plus some flavored smoked cheeses. Those are hard to find!
Honestly, everything we’re tried so far has been good, even great. I’ve had zero complaints about that!
I wished I’d ordered some of their bread cheese. These are special melting cheeses that hold their shape after heating, so you get the soft, molten texture but without it turning to mush. So good on the grill!
Cheese Lover Tip
Did you know all cheeses should be served at room temperature?
This allows the flavor oils to release so you can taste their full flavors. Let the cheeses sit on the counter for about an hour before diving in (if you can handle the wait).
Cheese Brothers vs Grocery Store
To help you understand what to expect, I wanted to break down some key differences between Cheese Brothers and the standard blocks of cheese you get at the grocery store as well as the specialty flavors that pop up in cheese cases here and there.
Yes, the cheeses cost more, but they’re also higher quality, more flavorful, and come from small-scale Wisconsin farms!
| Feature | Cheese Brothers | Regular Grocery Store Cheese |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor Intensity | Bold, creative, full-flavored (like Dill Havarti & Bourbon Gouda) | Often mild or under-flavored |
| Variety | Unique flavors, smoked options, spicy blends, and aged aged cheddars | Mostly standard options (cheddar, mozzarella, jack) |
| Cheesemaking Process | Traditional methods, small-scale dairy, 4th generation cheesemakers | Large-scale production, often less aging time |
| Packaging Size | Smaller 6–8 oz portions -great for sampling | Usually sold in 8–16 oz blocks or bags |
| Price per Pound | ~$20-24/lb | ~$7–10/lb |
| Best For | Gift giving, flavor exploration, cheese lovers | Daily use, basic recipes, budget shoppers |
Shop Cheese Brothers
Ready to give them a try? Order a sampler pack, fresh curds, or something special. Perfect for gifting or just because.
(Does anyone need a reason to try cheese? I think not.)
FAQs about Cheese Brothers
Is Cheese Brothers Worth the Price?
Listen, I’m a stingy, frugal bargain hunter. I’ll search the ends of the earth to get a good deal on some organic coconut oil or fancy cheese. I’m not the kind of person who normally drops $100 on a sample pack of cheese.
But that’s kind of the whole point.
Cheese Brothers is not necessarily the brand to replace all the cheese in your fridge drawer. It’s more about trying something new, supporting a cool small business, and stepping out of your flavor comfort zone.
And although the prices are a little higher, that’s because you’re paying for quality. Cheese Brothers cheeses are aged 2-12 months and made from small scale dairies in Wisconsin by a legacy creamery. They also have bolder flavors (we compared side-by-side).
For us, it was really more about the experience of trying different cheeses. They’re a great option for gift-giving, and a fun way to change things up, too!
Order Cheese Brothers online
The best way to order Cheese Brothers is to head to their website and pick up a sampler pack. There is truly something for every budget and taste.
Explore these options to find the right one for you!
More Food Reviews + Guides
- Campo Grande Review: Don’t Order Before You Read This!
- Azure Standard Review: Everything You Need to Know
- I’m an Avid Baker and I Tried WildGrain – How Did It Go?
If you enjoy this post, please leave a comment or ask a question below! I’d love to hear what you think and hear about your own experiences.
Want more seasonal recipes? Subscribe for email updates or follow Milk Glass Home & Kitchen on social media. Join my Facebook Group Seasonal Slow Living to become part of the community!
Thank you for this review. Living in Wisconsin, you find cheese in my house regularly. Disappointed in the “large” producers, I buy cheeses from area creameries that our local grocer sells for about the same price per pound, better flavor and texture. Bonus: supporting local dairies with my purchases. But I occasionally desire that punch of flavor. This review will be a good guide in expanding my sources to enjoy new and exciting flavors. Thanks again.