Blue: The Joy of Cheese January Events

Every January The Joy of Cheese rings in the new year with a monthlong celebration of those most peppery and earthy cheeses—the blues. As winter wonderland slips into winter doldrums, we fight back, offering the finest Roqueforts, Stiltons, and Gorgonzolas (say nothing of Rogue River Blues, Fourme D’Amberts, and Sticheltons). It’s a good time for big beers and sweet wines, and these are the cheeses to match them. We will hold three tastings devoted to this theme.

Here are the details.

January 4 at 7:30 at d.b.a Bklyn, 113 North 7^th St. (between Berry and Wythe): The New Blues and Brews to Match.

Hey Blue, what’s new? At this event we will sample and discuss seven phenomenal blue cheeses that are relatively new to the New York City market. In addition we’ll pair those seven new blues with seven superb beers. I’ll discuss the cheeses, and Ray Deter will discourse on the beer. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/142602

Attendees can pay cash at the door, I just ask that they alert me of their intention at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

January 18 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington): Classic Blues.

There is a canon of cheese and for the next few months at The Clerkenwell we will explore it. Our investigation begins with the finest Roqueforts, Gorgonzolas, Stiltons, et al. At this event we will sample and discuss eight phenomenal blue cheeses and why these particular varieties are superior to others in the marketplace. Tickets are $25 (attendees pay for their drinks separately) and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/142611

Attendees can pay cash at the door; I just ask that they alert me of their intention at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

January 20 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Houston): Old World vs. Our World

In what will surely be our bluest tasting yet, we will sample ten different blue cheeses, five from the northeast and five from Europe. We will discuss them thoroughly and beyond parsing them, we will vote on where the better blues come from on that evening. In other words, it will be earthy, peppery fun. Tickets are $25 (attendees pay for their drinks separately) and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/142614

Attendees can pay cash at the door; I just ask that they alert me of their intention at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

Questions? I’m at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com.

The Joy of Cheese January Events

Tickets to these will go on sale in a few days, but here's the winter sked for now. More events will be added.
The theme for January is Blue. The Events will be as follows.
January 4: American Blues and Brews to match at d.b.a Bklyn. 7:30-8:45ish, $25
January 13: Old World v. New World: (4 old world blues v. 4 new) at Culturefix. 7:30-8:45ish, $25.
January 18: The Classics at Clerkenwell present 8 Cornerstone Blues. 7:30-8:45, $25

More info soon!

The Joy of Cheese December Events

The Joy of Cheese 2010 winds down with one tasting and one 92Y event.

Dec. 7th at 7:30 at d.b.a Bklyn: Holiday Beers and Cheeses to Match

Holiday Beers tend to be sweeter and stronger than usual, and that makes them ideal matches for flavorful cheeses. Please join us December 7 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. for a tasting of seven of the best holiday brews made even better by pairings with seven cheeses. Martin Johnson will discuss the cheeses and Ray Deter will talk about the beers. Tickets are $25. For more information visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/138914

You can pay cash at the door, but please alert me of your intention at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

There is also a cheese and wine pairing class at 7 Thursday December 9 at the 92Y. For details, visit http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid=T-LP5FW14

In January we will start the new year with our annual month of blues. January 4 at d.b.a Bklyn American Blues and Classic Brews. January 11th at Clerkenwell Classic Blues. The rest of the sked t.b.a

Nutty: The Joy of Cheese November Events

Nutty: The Joy of Cheese November Events

Unfortunately the 11.11 event at Stella Manhattan Bistro has been canceled. The 11.16 and 11.17 events will proceed as planned.

Alpine cheeses are one of the best starting points into the world of high end cheese. They deliver familiar flavors–their primary overtone is reminiscent of roasted hazelnuts, cashews, almonds or macadamia nuts, or put more concisely, they are nutty–but the latest arrivals from Switzerland, Germany, France, and yes, the United States (yes Alpine can refer to just a style of cheesemaking) offer much more. There are strong overtones of fresh meadow, spicy herbs, and malt in the new cheeses. And those are just the firm cheeses. There are many delicious soft cheeses from Switzerland too. In November we’ll explore all of this in four separate events.

November 9 at 7:30 at Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington), Way Beyond the Obvious: Swiss Cheese After Gruyere and Emmenthal. We’ll start our Nutty month with a survey of the finest cheeses from Switzerland and nearby areas. We’ll include the finest Gruyere and Emmenthal just as points of reference and then demonstrate how much broader the Swiss tradition is with seven other cheeses, including several soft cheeses and maybe a blue. Tickets are $25 and you pay for your drinks separately. For ticket information visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134926

You can pay cash at the door, just alert me that you are attending at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

November 11 at 7:30 at Stella Manahattan Bistro, 213 Front St. (near Beekman): The Red Menace. Red wines are harder to pair with cheese than white wines, but it can be done and alpine cheeses are often the best way to begin finding the right match for your tannins. At this event we will pair eight or nine cheeses with five red wines from the Stella menu and Jason Spingarn will discuss the wines. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134927

You can pay cash at the door, just alert me that you are attending at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

November 16 at 7:30 at d.b.a Bklyn, 113 North 7^th ST. (between Berry and Wythe): The Dark Side. Autumn is prime time for Porters, Stouts and other darker beers, and their coffee-ish and chocolately overtones are an ideal match for the nutty flavors of Alpine cheeses. At this event we will sample and discuss seven of each. I’ll discuss the cheeses, and Ray Deter will discourse on the beer. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134931

You can pay cash at the door, just alert me that you are attending at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

November 17 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St., (near Houston St.), Red, White and Beer: American Alpine Edition. You can’t see the Alps from anywhere in America, but the cheesemakers feel the spirit. Great alpine cheese is being made in Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, and even on Long Island. We’ll survey these by giving attendees a white wine, a red wine and a beer and let’s see which beverage pairs best with each of these six notably versatile cheeses. Tickets are $30 and available via BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134934

You can pay cash at the door, just alert me that you are attending at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

Questions? I’m at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

October and Sneak Preview of November

Two More October Events and a Sneak Preview of November

There are two more exciting Joy of Cheese events in October
October 20th at7 at the 92nd St. Y, (92nd and Lexington): Better Than Wine
Maggie Fuller and I will present a survey of eight exceptional beers all from the 12% roster of stellar, small produer Belgian brews with eight extraordinary cheeses chosen to match them. Tickets are $40 and available via the 92Y website, http://bit.ly/dnzv8D

Then, the very next day...

October 21 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St. (at Houston): Old World v. Our World.
Let's get beyond this side of the ocean or that (that’s so 2002). West coast wines have fared just fine in competition against their old world counterparts. American cheeses are routinely included in the mix of great cheeses of the world even in Europe. Let's get more specific: how do the cheeses made close to home compare with their European antecedents? Please join us October 21 at at 7:30 at Culturefix for a comparative tasting of five locally made cheeses versus five of the European cheeses that they are based on. Call it a World Series of cheese. Tickets are $25 and you pay for your drinks separately. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/131622

Our theme in November is NUTTY. It is tentatively shaping up like this.
November 9 Not The Usual Swisspects at Clerkenwell
November 11: The Red Menace: Alpine cheeses and red wines to match them at Stella Manhattan Bistro
November 16: The Dark Side: Porters, Stouts and darker beers with hand crafted cheeses of Switzerland to match at dba Bklyn
Novmeber 17: Red White and Beer vol. 2: The American Alpines at Culturefix

For more information contact me at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

Close to Home: The Joy of Cheese October Events

Close to Home: The Joy of Cheese October Events

Twenty five years ago when the contemporary American hand crafted cheese movement took flight, its epicenters were in Vermont, the Hudson Valley, northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Three of those four regions continued to innovate at an astonishing pace and now no discussion of the great cheeses of the world is complete without mention of cheeses like Vermont Shepherd, Rogue River Blue, or Humboldt Fog. However until recently cheesemaking close to home seemed to plateau at the rank of interesting but not exactly text-your-friends exciting.

In the last five years or so that has changed dramatically. The cheesemakers at Cato’s Corner in Connecticut make a variety of washed rind cheeses that can stand up against anyone’s. The folks at 3 Corner Field Farms make firm sheep’s milk cheeses that rank among the world’s best, and Valley Shepherd in New Jersey makes such a wide variety of high caliber cheese that they even opened up their own fromagerie in Manhattan to sell them.

The October, The Joy of Cheese events will celebrate this groundswell of extraordinary cheesemaking close to home. In three events we will focus on local cheeses (including some that aren’t even on the market yet).

Without further ado…

October 5 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. (between Berry & Wythe): The Local. Thanks to the fine work of breweries like Brooklyn, Kelso and Captain Lawrence, it’s not news that there is great local beer, but what local cheeses work best with them? This tasting will focus on a delightful series of local cheeses paired with brews from Brooklyn or not far from. I'll present seven extraordinary cheeses (one of them which is not commercially available, and Ray Deter, owner of d.b.a will present seven local brews that we have chosen to match them. It will be a fun way to learn about both. The event will last till around 8:45. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/128276

October 12 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington): Yes, New Jersey.
No, not New Jersey exclamation point, New Jersey period—several fine creameries have been emerged in the Mid-Atlantic States, and New Jersey is host to the best of them. We will have wondrous bries, washed rind cheeses, tommes, and pecorinos. I’ll present eight cheeses from The Garden State and probably one more that will remain mysterious. Tickets are $25 attendees pay for their beverages separately. Tickets are available at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/131122

October 21 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St. (at Houston): Old World v. Our World.
Let's get beyond this side of the ocean or that (that’s so 2002). West coast wines have fared just fine in competition against their old world counterparts. American cheeses are routinely included in the mix of great cheeses of the world even in Europe. Let's get more specific: how do the cheeses made close to home compare with their European antecedents? Please join us October 21 at at 7:30 at Culturefix for a comparative tasting of five locally made cheeses versus five of the European cheeses that they are based on. Call it a World Series of cheese. Tickets are $25 and you pay for your drinks separately. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/131622

There are also a few spots left for our September 28 cheese and beer event at d.b.a Bklyn and our September 30^th cheese and mostly Belgian beer event at Stella Manhattan Bistro.

For all of these events, attendees are welcome to pay cash at the door. I just request that you reserve a spot by e-mailing me at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com. I do all my own prep and my cheese purchases are pegged to the number of attendees I anticipate.

There are also two really really cool 92^nd St. Y events in October. On the 14^th at 7 Michael Steinberger, wine critic for slate.com and I will lead a cheese and wine pairing class. And on October 20 at 7, Maggie Fuller of Beer Ethos and 12% Importers and I will lead a cheese and beer. For tickets visit the 92^nd St. site, www.92Y.org

Sheepy!! The Joy of Cheese September Events

Sheepy!! The Joy of Cheese September Events

Our September tastings will focus primarily on the wonders of sheep's milk cheeses. They are versatile, appealing and vastly underrated and we'll explore them in a variety of settings. Folded into this mix are a couple of events that will focus on Spanish and Portuguese cheeses (many of which are made of sheep's milk).

September 14 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. (between Berry & Wythe): Pecorinos, Pyrenees, and Pilsners.
Yes, mind your P's. This tasting will focus on a delightful series of sheep cheeses made or inspired by the Basque and Tuscan traditions, and they will be paired with cool, crisp Pilsners. I'll present seven extraordinary cheeses, and Ray Deter, owner of d.b.a will present seven Pilsners that we have chosen to match them. It will be a fun way to learn about both. The event will last till around 8:45. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/124919

September 15 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St. (at Houston): Red, White & Beer.
Firm sheep's milk cheeses are remarkably versatile when it comes to pairing with beverages and we will put seven of them to the test at this Joy of Cheese Workshop event. Each attendee will receive sample sizes of a red wine, a white wine and a beer, then they will be encourage to test each out with six fantastic sheep cheeses and see which ones pair best (the seventh cheese is a mystery cheese and separate from the pairing endeavor). Tickets for this event are $30, which includes the samplings of beverages, and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125004

September 21 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington): Spain v. Portugal
Two great cheese making nations, nine amazing cheeses. At this event we will offer four cheeses from each country in side by side comparisons and see who comes out on top (the ninth cheese is that pesky mystery cheese). Vegas oddsmakers say the attendees are favored to win. Tickets are $25 attendees pay for their beverages separately. Tickets are available at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125012

Then we are holding two events in conjunction with New York City Craft Beer Week.

September 28 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. (between Berry & Wythe) Pretty Things v. Funky Cheese.
Okay not all of these cheeses will be of sheep's milk nor will they be necessarily Spanish or Portuguese, but they will be delicious and funky and they should pair nicely with the beers of the Pretty Things Brewery in Cambridge Massachusetts. I'll present seven cheeses and Ray Deter will present seven PT beers chosen to match them. Tickets are $30 and available at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121988

September 30 at 7:30 at Stella Manhattan Bistro, 213 Front St. (between Peck Slip and Beekman): Belgian Beers and Iberian Cheeses.
It's a natural! The crisp sweetness of many Belgian beers make them an ideal match for the salty, vegetal flavor profiles of Spanish and Portuguese cheeses. At this event, I'll present eight cheeses and Dave Herman (Porchetta, Spuyten Duyvil and a general all around beer authority) will present eight Belgian or Belgian inspired beers to match. Tickets are $30 and available at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/122000

In October our theme will be BOLD.

Questions? I'm at thejoyofcheese AT gmail.

The Joy of Cheese August Events: Soften

Soften: The Joy of Cheese August Events

Most of the time we get a summer punctuated by heat waves; this year it seems like we have a heat wave occasionally punctuated by summer.
There is only one thing to do: soften. Getting all uptight isn't going to beat the heat. The only solution is to relax and acclimate to it. Our immodest suggestion is to eat soft cheeses. They are more luxurious, refreshing and in many ways, they are adult ice cream. This month, The Joy of Cheese offers four chances to soften with cheese.

August 3 at 7:30 NOTE NEW START TIME at d.b.a Bklyn, 113 N. 7th St. Softies & Saisons
We will launch our monthlong celebration of softer cheeses by pairing seven of them with saisons, farmhouse ales that are light, refreshing and occasionally fruity in the finish. I'll discuss the cheeses and Ray Deter will select seven saisons to pair with the fromage and discuss them. The event will run about 75 minutes and tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets,
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/120824
You can also pay cash at the door, but please let me know to expect you.

August 10 at 7:30 at Stella Manhattan Bistro, 213 Front St. (South St. Seaport) Buttery cheese n' Belgian beers
Buttery cheeses, Belgian beers (for the msot part). Need we say more? I'll select and discuss nine cheeses, and Maggie Consor Fuller will detail the joys of five brews she's selected from the Stella menu. The event will run about 75 minutes. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/120829
Again, you can pay cash at the door, please let me know to expect you.

August 12 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St. Joy of Cheese Workshop, A Brand New Series Debuts. with Soft Comparisons
Please join us at 7:30 at a lovely new cafe, Culturefix, Clinton near the corner of Houston, for a new series, Joy of Cheese will debut a new event, Workshop. At Workshop (yes, capital W) events we will take more of a seminar approach and discuss several issues within the cheese world. At this first one we will deal with shopping for cheese, exploring the contrasts between 12 cheeses some from highbrow boutiques, some from middlebrow retailers and some from lowbrow outlets. Class size is limited, so reserve early! (You can always cancel a BPT purchase if something comes up). Tickets are $25 and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121266
Cash at the door is fine too; just let me know to expect you.

August 17 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. Luscious.
Nine melty, oozy, totally sumptuous cheeses will be the focus of this tasting. Nuff said, right? Tickets are $25 and attendees pay for their beverages separately. This event usually last just over an hour. Tickets are available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121096
Cash at teh door works too; just let me know that you plan to attend.

Questions or for more information about these events or perhaps hosting one at your home or office and even having private event at a public venue (an alumni association gathering or some such), contract me at thejoyofcheese aT gMail dotcom.

-MJ

The July Events

Our July theme is Yes, Mr. DeGaulle, Way More: A Celebration of Fromage.
The tasting schedule is this.
July 13 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. in Williamsburg: Fromage et Bier. 7 French cheeses and 7 (French or French inspired) beers to match. I'll discuss the cheese; Ray Deter will talk about the beer. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/118464
July 20 at Stella, 213 Front St. near the South St. Seaport: Fromage et vin. 9 French cheeses and 5 wines to match. I'll run my mouth about the cheese and Jason Springarn will run his about the wine. A good time will ensue. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/118467
July 27 at Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. on the Lower East Side: Les huit meilleurs fromages à New York City. 8 Great French cheeses you pay for your beverages separately.
Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/118469

For more information on these tastings or having a private event, contact me at The Joy of Cheese AT G Mail.

The Joy of Cheese June Events

The Joy of Cheese Presents Born in the U.S.A.

It's really nice. You can talk about American cheese these days without referencing Kraft. American hand crafted cheeses are gaining international renown both for their high quality and for their fearless experimentation. Many cheeses blend elements of two or more national traditions. There's a nice parallel to our national identity there.
Anyway, we are going to hold two tastings this month (Stella fans state your case and we'll do a third) built around the theme of American hand crafted cheeses. Here are the details.

June 15 at 7 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. Dial V for Vermont
The title of this tasting is more than a Hitchcock reference. Vermont's tradition of culinary excellence is not a recent phenomenon. It dates back decades, even centuries. Small wonder there are over the 1000 dairy farms in a sate with fewer than 10,000 square miles. Please join us June 15 at 7 for a tasting that will celebrate the cheesemking prowess of Vermont. We will sample seven awesome Vermont cheeses and Ray Deter will select, pour, and discuss seven amazing beers to match them. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114524
You can also pay cash at the door, but I prefer some notice to expect you as I'm also the prep guy.

June 22nd at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. Way Out West
Best Western indeed. The rise of American hand crafted cheese took root fastest on the west coast and pioneers like Mary Keehn and Laura Chenel created fine cheese and innovative business models in the early '80s that set the template for the wonderful world of American cheesemaking that we know and love today. Please join us June 22 at 7:30 for Way Out West, The Joy of Cheese's annual celebration of western hand crafted cheeses. If all goes well, we'll have fine cheeses from Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California and maybe just maybe, Idaho. The event is hosted by The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington). Tickets $25 and you pay for your beverages as you go. To purchase tix, please visit BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114529
Again, you can pay cash at the door; just let me know to expect you.

I can be contacted at a gmail account for thejoyofcheese.

-MJ

June at The Joy of Cheese

The theme for the tastings in June is Born in the U.S.A.

The tastings will be on June 15 at d.b.a Brooklyn and June 22nd at Clerkenwell.

I will think out the specific tasting themes later this week and post ticket sales details over the weekend or thereabouts.

-MJ

The Joy of Cheese in May

May marks the fifth anniversary of The Joy of Cheese.
We will celebrate with tastings of Italian cheese. Here are the details.


May 11th at 7:30 at Stella, 213 Front St., It's a Robiola World... (i.e. softer Italians with wines to match)
Ooozy, sumptuous, and tangy soft Italian cheeses will be the focus of this tasting. We will pair eight (more really, it's fifth anniversary!) incredible Italian cheeses with five wines to match. Vanessa Conlin will choose and present the wines. Tickets are $25.
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/109224

May 18th at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St., The 8 Best Italian Cheeses in NYC
Soft, hard and in between, I will present the eight best Italian cheeses (and probably a runner up or two) as of the morning of May 18 when I do my shopping. Tickets are $25 and attendees pay for their beverages separately.
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/109225

For more information, the joy of cheese AT Gmail.

June is All American!

-MJ

The Joy of Cheese Presents All About Chevre

The Joy of Cheese Presents All About Chevre

It's a simple equation: warming weather calls for lighter, leaner cheese. The Joy of Cheese will celebrate the first full month of spring with a three week celebration devoted to goat's milk cheeses in all of their glory. The details....

April 6 at 7 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. (between Berry and Wythe): The Harder They Come.
Who says all goat's milk cheeses are soft. At this tasting we will sample and discuss seven firm goat's milk cheeses and Ray Deter will present seven beers specifically chosen to match them. The tasting runs about 75 minutes; tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104551

April 13 at 7:30 at Stella, 213 Front St. (between Peck Slip and Beekman): The Softies
Eight ooozy, dense, creamy and other soft forms of chevre will be in the spotlight at this tasting as we pair them with four or five beers to match. The tasting will last about 75 minutes. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104560

April 20 at 7:30 at Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington): Red, White and Chevre
Yes, now we break out the wine! For years chevre was thought only to pair with white wines, but at this tasting of eight fab goat's milk cheeses, we will show off its versatility. Tickets are $35 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/105174

More information connect at TheJoyofCheese which has boxes at both gmail and yahoo.

-Martin Johnson

The Joy of Cheese in March: Only the Strong Survive

Unless you're a big college basketball fan, then March's 31 days represent the dog days of winter. Thus, it's a good opportunity to indulge in strong cheeses and appropriate counterparts in accompanying beverages. The Joy of Cheese offers four opportunities.

March 2 at 7 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St: Make It Funky!!
Perhaps that should be Funkee!!!! Washed rind cheeses or in the common parlance, stinky cheeses will be the focus of our monthly cheese and beer pairing. We will present seven wonderfully aromatic and soft wonders and Ray Deter will present seven beers chosen to match them. Tickes are $20 and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100048

March 9 at 7:30 at Stella, 213 Front St.: The Cheese Crunch
Nope it's not Rice Crispies but some cheeses have a certain snap and crackle to them. The long story involves bonding of amino acids and sodium; the short is that it's a component of the best Reggianos, Gruyeres, Aged Goudas and Cheddars, and those will be our focus for this tasting. I'll present eight cheeses, and noted wine geek Vanessa Conlin (Harlem Vintage, Pour) will select and discuss four wines that match them. Tickets are $25 and available via BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100065

March 16 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St.: Cheddar Smackdown
It's time to take a stand in this face off of old world cheddars versus new world ones. We will offer four head to head match ups and take a vote. Why wait for World Cup for England and the United States to do friendly battle? Tickets are $25 and you pay for your drinks as you go. Tickets are at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100071

March 30 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, Cheddars and Whiskeys.
Once upon a time the conventional wisdom held that cheddars were not worthy of great wine and instead should be paired with beers and whiskeys. We now know better (cheddars and earthy Bordeaux pair wonderfully) but at this tasting we're going to go old school and pair six or seven cheddars with whiskey or beer. I'll discuss the cheddars and Ray Deter will discuss the beverages. Tickets for this special event are $30, and available at BPT, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100077

In April, All About Chevre, our annual survey of the world's best goat's milk cheeses.

For more info try me at The Joy of Cheese at either gmail or at yahoo.

The Joy of Cheese in February: It's Better With the Brits!!

In February, our theme is It's Better With the Brits. Why? Well, think of the Monty Python cheese shop skit, or the Beatles and the Stones (or Elvis Costello and The Clash), or Wallace and Gromit. Where would America be without cheddar, which we learned to make from the Brits. February is better with British cheese.

February 2 at 7 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. (between Berry and Wythe), English Classics and Beers to match.
Awesome Cheddars, the very best Stilton, hand crafted Leicester and Lancashire highlight this tasting of cornerstone English cheeses at d.b.a. I'll sample seven cheeses and Ray Deter will present seven amazing beers to match them. Tickets are a mere $20 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/95957.

February 9 at 7:30 at Stella, 213 Front St. (near the South St. Seaport), It's Better Without the Brits.
Who needs the Brits anyway, there are great hand crafted cheeses being made in Ireland. And for good measure we'll sample a couple from Wales and Scotland too. Overall, at this tasting we will celebrate eight great cheeses with wines (no not beer or whiskey, wine as these new Irish cheeses are better representatives of the French monastery tradition than most French cheeses). I'll present the cheeses and Vanessa Conlin will discuss the wines. Tickets are $25 and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/95960

February 16 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. (between Stanton and Rivington), The New British Invasion
The contemporary trend back toward hand crafted cheeses didn't start in California or Vermont; it started in England with the publication of Patrick Rance's Great British Cheese Book and his campaign for Real Cheese. It's grown from there to the formation of Neal's Yard and a cheesemaking renaissance of extraordinary proportion. At this tasting we will explore magnificent sheep cheeses from Devon and Reading, a unique cheddar from Lincolnshire and several other new creations. Tickets are $25 (you pay for your drinks separately) and available via Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/95967.

And in March? The theme will be Only The Strong Survive. Hmmm.

Sneak Preview of February

The theme for February is It's Better With the Brits!
It's not etched in stone but the tasting sked looks like this.

Feb 2nd. It's Better With the Brits: Classic British cheese, classic British ales at d.b.a Brooklyn
Feb 9th. It's Better Without the Brits: Irish, Welsh, and Scottish hand crafted cheese and wines to match at Stella
Feb 16th The New British Invasion! Contemporary British Hand Crafted Cheeses with wine or beer to match at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton Street, A NEW VENUE!

Tickets will go on sale later this week