629211 Thu Jun 18 17:41:48 -0700 2009 12 8 Midwest 0 4785950 Taking a Road trip to visit the in Laws in a Town called Wisconsin Rapids. Landing in Milwaukee and heading up 94 west. And looking to get some great cheese on the way. Any Suggestions? Thu Jun 18 17:41:48 -0700 2009 105264 robfood 1 4789164 Two words: Carr Valley. For more info, see this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613275 And your destination is just a few hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul, hint hint hint... Anne Fri Jun 19 20:10:45 -0700 2009 4785950 12541 AnneInMpls 1 4790883 You could always get the Wisconsin Cheese Map to help guide you on your journey: http://www.eatwisconsincheese.com/wisconsin/travelers_guide.aspx I signed up for mine three+ weeks ago and still have not received my map. They clearly state six to eight weeks for delivery (which feels a lot longer). It may not be of use to you for this trip depending on when you are going. Sat Jun 20 15:57:37 -0700 2009 4785950 10516 MplsM ary 2 4802260 I got my cheese map, though I think it took well over 4 weeks to arrive. Perhaps they've been overwhelmed by the chowhound clamor for their maps. I'm sure yours will arrive eventually. In the meantime, this thread (along with savorwisconsin.com) is a great resource. I'm so pleased to learn about Fromagination in Madison - to think I was just a block away earlier this month, but didn't know about it! Next time, for sure. Anne Wed Jun 24 11:12:27 -0700 2009 4790883 12541 AnneInMpls 3 4806749 I'm on my third map already.... It sure has added to the incentive to come up from Iowa. Thu Jun 25 16:47:47 -0700 2009 4802260 54744 rozz01 1 4791365 All my Wisconsin cheese is purchased at Rybicky's on the third level west side of the Mall of America in Minnesota. :) I can't get out of the Mall with any less than 3 or 4 brick varieties of cheese after sampling their little dice sized cubes. I'm a sucker for their aged cheddars. Sat Jun 20 20:30:38 -0700 2009 4785950 10675 Davydd 1 4794633 Looks like you'll be heading through Madison if you are taking 94. If so, there's an artisanal cheese shop right on the capitol square called Fromagination. Pricier than buying direct from the cheesemaker, but you can taste all of it and get great advice from the owner. As far as local cheese goes, I'm partial to Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Carr Valley cheeses, and Bleu Mont bandaged Cheddar. Also worth trying are the various Driftless cheeses. Of the Carr cheeses, I really like the Marisa cheese the most. Carr has a store in Middleton, which is basically a western suburb of Madison. Mon Jun 22 08:52:18 -0700 2009 4785950 1087391 TAsunder 2 4797832 I LOVE Fromagination! Was lucky to be there on opening day and am happy to hear they are still there and hopefully doing well. I remember also tasting the best cheesecake I'd ever tried there - can't remember if it was theirs or a brand they carried. Excellent store. While in the area, don't miss the most awesome cheese ever made (& I live in California & have lived in Europe for many years & still love this the best) - Hook's 12 Year Aged Cheddar. Pricey, but oh so good... They are located in Mineral Point, but also sell at the Madison Farmer's Market: http://www.hookscheese.com/ Tue Jun 23 08:16:13 -0700 2009 4794633 10392 torta basilica 3 4801379 You can also buy the 12 year hook's at many/most Brennan's stores. They are scattered around the area. http://www.brennansmarket.com/locations.lasso Wed Jun 24 07:28:25 -0700 2009 4797832 1087391 TAsunder 1 4799656 http://www.savorwisconsin.com/ Might provide some help. Tue Jun 23 16:31:15 -0700 2009 4785950 160141 type2runner 1 4800600 http://www.wisconsindairyartisan.com/master_cheesemaker.html Tue Jun 23 22:52:18 -0700 2009 4785950 12471 jlawrence01 1 4802144 castle rock is one of the best organic dairies in the country-- it's off of 94. . . don't know if it's on your way-- cheese, including raw-milk cheddar, also pasteurized cheese. . . but *don't* skip the ice cream. and buy the cream-top milk in the glass bottles. their chocolate milk is out-of-sight, i can't even describe how good it is but i always drink it until i have a tummy ache it's so good. Wed Jun 24 10:38:08 -0700 2009 4785950 46030 soupkitten 1 4825992 Seconding the recommendations for Blue Mont Bandaged Cheddar, Hook's Aged Cheddar, and Pleasant Ridge Reserve. I'd add to that list any kind of goat cheese from Capri Creamery. Thu Jul 02 18:10:20 -0700 2009 4785950 15381 Machaca