Cheesemaking in Green County

Years ago, a cheese factory at every country crossroads was as common as holes in a wheel of Swiss cheese. By 1910, the number in Green County had peaked at just over 200. Today we’re home to less than 20 factories, but they’re still easy to find. Most early mornings, you can simply follow the milk trucks to their destinations! Following is a list of area factories and direct outlets. A few factories offer morning tours. For more information on cheesemaking traditions of the past, visit the Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe. Chalet Cheese Cooperative N4858 Cty. N Monroe 608.325.4343 Mon – Fri 7 am – 3:30 pm, Sat 8 am – 10 am Specialties: Limburger, Baby Swiss, German Style Brick, Brick Chula Vista Cheese Company 2923 Mayer Rd. Browntown 608.439.5211 Mon – Fri 8 am – 3:30 pm Specialties: Hispanic varieties, Queso Blanco, Brick Decatur Dairy W1668 Cty. F Brodhead 608.897.8661 Mon – Sat 9 am – 5 pm, call about tours Specialties: Havarti, flavored Havarti varieties, Muenster, Brick, Farmer, Stettler Swiss, Colby, fresh Muenster curds Deppeler Cheese Factory W6805 Deppeler Rd. Monroe 608.325.6311 Mon – Fri 7 am – 3:30 pm, Sat 7 am – 10 am Specialties: Swiss, Baby Swiss Edelweiss Town Hall W6117 Cty. C Monticello 608.938.4094 Cheese for sale most mornings. Specialties: Wheel Swiss, Lace Kase, Butter Kase, Havarti, String Cheese Franklin Cheese Cooperative W7256 Franklin Rd. Monroe 608.325.3725 Mon – Sat 6 am – 2 pm, closed Wednesday, call about tours Specialties: Farmer, flavored Muenster varieties, Edam, Quesadilla Maple Leaf Cheese Factory Outlet W2616 Hwy. 11/81 Juda 608.934.1237 Mon – Fri 8 am – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 5 pm, Sun 10 am – 4 pm Specialties: Edam, Gouda, Cheddar, Flavored Jack varieties, Queso Blanco, Cheddar Blue, Yogurt cheese, Kosher cheese, fresh Cheddar curds Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus 554 1st St. New Glarus 608.527.2000 Daily 10 am – 5 pm, Winter Fri – Mon 10 am – 4 pm Specialties: 55 different cheeses offered, including varieties made from Brown Swiss cow milk Roth Kase (Alp and Dell – Outlet) 627 2nd St. Monroe 608.328.3355 Mon – Sat 9 am – 5 pm, Sun 10 am – 4 pm, (closed Sundays Jan – March) Observation window. Call to arrange for group tours. Specialties: Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, Edam, Gouda, Raclette, Rofumo, Butter Kase Silver-Lewis Cheese Cooperative W3075 Cty. EE Monticello 608.938.4813 Mon – Fri 6 am – 1 pm, Sat 7 am – 11:30 am Specialties: Brick, Muenster Swiss Heritage Cheese Factory 114 E. Coates Ave. Monticello 608.938.4455 Mon – Thurs 8 am – 3 pm, Fri 8 am – 1 pm, Sat 9 am – 1 pm Specialties: Brick, Muenster, Marble Muenster, Farmer, and breaded curds ready to deep fry Torkelson’s Prairie Hill Cheese Plant, Inc. N398 Twin Grove Rd. Monroe 608.325.2918 Mon – Fri 7 am – 3 pm Specialties: Muenster, Brick, and Mexican style cheeses