Cheeses You Shouldn’t Miss at the Big Cheese Festival

​Jungle Jim’s Big Cheese Festival is a whirlwind weekend devoted to all things cheese. Starting with our selection of over 1,400 varieties from the Jungle Jim’s Cheese Shop, and branching out to all the olives, meats and appetizers we can gather, we’re paying tribute to one of our favorite foods! Do you know the difference between fresh and aged cheeses? Ever wanted to know what to pair with your favorite wine or appetizer? Thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our awesome Jungle Jim’s Cheese Shop and our wide variety and unbeatable selection, this festival is your chance to take your love of cheese to new heights!

The Big Cheese Festival is a monumentally sized event, so how do you know which cheeses you shouldn’t miss? Never fear, our cheese loving friends! We talked to some of Jungle Jim’s cheese experts and they’ve pulled out their top picks for this year’s festival!

Brad: Jungle Jim’s Cheese and Charcuterie Buyer’s Top 3

Tulip Tree Trillium – This cheese is modeled after a brie or camembert. It’s a triple creme, which gives it a more rich and creamy flavor and texture.

Oliiva’s Bourbon Beer Cheese – The name says it all. This is a bourbon infused beer cheese with a little spice. Enough said, it’s tasty!

Carr Valley Wildfire Blue – A smooth, creamy blue that adds some spice with pepperoncini peppers to give a slight kick. 

Jamie: Eastgate Cheese Shop Manager’s Top 3

Deer Creeks The Blue Jay –  This is a rich triple creme blue with crushed juniper berries. It leaves buttery notes with a floral finish from the berries. I personally could eat this on every cheese board with a nice Bordeaux. 

Fabrique Delice Pate with Black Pepper – I have become a true pate lover and this one hits all the right notes. It’s a country style pate made with pork and flavor with black pepper. It’s an easy pate to add to any board because it goes with so many styles of cheeses. I like to serve it along side a nice crunchy piece of bread. 

Cabot’s Legacy Collection Alpine Cheddar – This has really become one of my favorite cheddars to recommend to customers. It has the nice salty bite you expect from a cheddar but it has that nuttiness that comes with an alpine cheese. This cheese makes an awesome mac & cheese.  

Jacob: Eastgate Cheese Shop Assistant Manager’s Top 3

Mackenzie Creamery Sour Cherry Bourbon – Smooth goat cheese with the perfect amount of tart and bourbon flavor.

Bertozzi Parm – Plain and simple, this is the best parm in the world. Fruity and nutty, it works every time.

Yancey’s Ghost Pepper Cheese – The creaminess of this cheese will make you forget the burn.

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You can find a full list of the creameries we are featuring at the Big Cheese Festival here.

Which ones are you most excited to try?