HONEY BROOK - “I’m picking out earthy notes,” said Sue Miller, co-host of the Chester County Cheese Artisans’ tasting event at Wyebrook Farm on Nov. 17, as she tasted Yellow Springs Farm’s Fieldstone cheese – a pasteurized cheese made from the milk of their Nubian goats located in Chester Springs. Miller and Yellow Springs Farm’s Al Renzi were joined by five other cheese artisans sharing their creamy delights with fifty cheese-loving participants at the event, an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Southeast PA Ag Partnership Board. Miller and Renzi served as co-chairs of the evening’s tasting event featuring cheese made of cow, goat and sheep milk – all within Chester County.

Seth Kalkstein of Downtown Cheese in Reading Terminal Market moderated the event, introducing each cheese artisan who shared the story of their farm and their cheese. All seven cheese artisans manage both the animals and their cheese making, a notable feat as many cheese artisans purchase milk instead of raising their own.

As an added bonus, Bill Covaleski, owner of Victory Brewing Company, donated three different brews, each of which was paired with the seven cheeses offered. “Most cheese is meant to pair with beer,” Kalkstein shared. “Beer close to room temperature is ideal. Drinking cold beer masks the flavor, which is good only if you’re drinking bad beer,” he joked. Covaleski added to the experience, sharing how each beer is crafted and the flavor notes of the beer which enhanced the cheese tasting experience.