May at The Joy of Cheese

The theme for May is Funkee!!

Yes, two e's and two exclamation points. Fans of strong smelly stuff, this is the moment you've been waiting for.

The sked breaks out like this:

May 3rd: Funk and Beer at d.b.a Brooklyn

May 17th Funk Classics at Clerkenwell

May 18th American Funk at Culturefix

Aside from the funky classes, there will be a One Night Stand (date tba) where we will bring the 8 best cheeses at that moment.

And I'll be teaching cheese and beer class May 12 and cheese and wine May 25 at the 92nd St. Y.

More on all of this soon.

April at The Joy of Cheese

April 5 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7th St. Hard Goats and Beers to Match

It might be a cheesemonger's stretch to imagine a goat singing to a cow the Irving Berlin classic Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," but it wouldn't be inappropriate for a goat diary farmer to sing it to a farmer with a herd of cows. In the last two decades, "goat cheese" has transformed from meaning a soft squishy, fresh cheese perfect for a beet salad into a myriad of forms, flavors and textures. Please join us Tuesday April 5 at 7:30 for a tasting of seven exceptional firm goat's milk cheeses and seven beer chosen specifically to match them. I'll present the cheese; Ray Deter will present the beers. We'll both talk about why we think the combination works. Tickets are $25.

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163427

April 12th at Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. The Best Soft Chevres in NYC

Oozy, lean and delicious and the three best adjectives to describe the best soft goat's milk cheeses available to New Yorkers. The amazing thing is that not all of them are from abroad. Many of them come from Maryland and Illinois as well as the usual domestic suspects like Vermont, California, and the Pacific Northwest. Please join us Tuesday April 12 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. for a sampling and discussion of eight of these sumptuous wonders. Tickets are $25 and you pay for your beverages separately.

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163619

By all means you’re welcome to attend these events without advance purchase, just e-mail me to alert me of your intentions and I’ll reserve space for you.

And in addition these?

April 7 Cheese and Wine at 92nd St. Y with a very special guest wine instructor.

Any questions, feel free to contact me at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

What A Whole Lotta Cheese: The Joy of Cheese Mid-Winter Update

What a Whole Lotta of Cheese: The Joy of Cheese Mid-Winter Update

A few days ago I wondered about the wisdom of calling this a midwinter update. Well mother nature set the record straight about that. Cheese tastings are still one of the best reasons to venture out into the chill and there are a whole lotta tastings coming up.

Here are the details

February 23^rd at 7:30 at Boxcar Lounge, 168 Avenue B

Wednesday night at 7:30, The Joy of Cheese, Martin Johnson’s five year old series of informal cheese tastings makes its first visit to Boxcar Lounge, 168 Avenue B. Please join us as we’ll sample and discuss eight of the finest cheeses available in New York. There will be showstoppingly dense and nutty alpine cheeses, buttery, sweet pecorinos, lean, herbaceous goat’s milk cheeses. Some of the cheeses will be from Europe and some from elsewhere. I’ll discuss the cheeses in terms of their flavor profile, geography and production techniques. It will enable you to become an informed shopper for these cheeses either at a retail counter or when surveying the cheese course at a restaurant. Tickets are $25 and attendees can purchase beers, wines and other spirits of their choice from the well chosen and abundant Boxcar list. For more information and ticket sales please visit Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/154183

February 24 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St., The Joy of Cheese Presents Red, White and Beer.

Alpine cheeses and pecorinos are especially versatile cheeses and in this edition of The Joy of Cheese Red White and Beer comparison series, we will take six (maybe more) fantastic cheeses, including some amazing sheep cheese from northern Italy and dense nutty cheeses both from Switzerland and the United States (and maybe France) and compare them to see what pairs best with what. It all gets going Thursday February 24 at 7:30 Tickets are $30 ($24 if you buy online at and enter the password Serious) and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/onsite/event/154017.

Attendees can buy tickets with cash at the door (there is no “Serious” discount) just alert me of your plans at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com.

March 1^st at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 N. 7^th St: The Hard Italians

The Italians have a way with formaggio. Their cheeses almost always feature distinctive flavors and melodic finishes. The firm ones are often highlighted by a clear note of salt. The Italians aren’t known for their brewing but their hard cheeses make excellent companions to ales, lagers and many more brewed delights. Please join us Tuesday March 1 at 7:30 as we pair seven wonderful hard Italian cheeses and seven amazing beers. I’ll present the cheese; Ray Deter will discuss the beer. You will show up and we will all be very happy by evening’s end. Tickets are $25 and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/158973

March 8^th at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St.: The Soft Italians

Ooozy, goupy, luxurious and delicious. Those are the first four words that occur to me when I think of soft Italian cheeses and if they don’t occur to you at the thought of Tallegio, Brescianella, Quadrello et al, then you owe it to your taste buds to join us at 7:30 Tuesday March 8 at Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. for a tasting of eight fantastic soft Italian cheeses. Tickets are $25 and you pay for your drinks separately. For more information, please visit BPT at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/158979

March 14^th at 7:30 at Custom American Wine Bar, 644 Driggs

The second edition of One Night Stand takes place at Custom American Wine Bar. As the name implies Custom specializes in small producer American wines, beers and bourbons. Our selection of eight cheeses will focus on those from the domestic artisan producers. Custom will offer a special flight of wines designed to match the cheeses. Tickets are $25 and attendees pay for their beverages separately. For more information, please visit Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/156155.

By all means you’re welcome to attend these events without advance purchase, just e-mail me to alert me of your intentions and I’ll reserve space for you.

And beyond these?

March 16 An Italian tasting of some sort or another at Culturefix

March 17 Cheese and Beer at 92^nd St. Y with me and Ray Deter

Any questions, feel free to contact me at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com

Next Week at The Joy of Cheese

February 23^rd at 7:30 at Boxcar Lounge, 168 Avenue B

Wednesday night at 7:30, The Joy of Cheese, Martin Johnson's five year old series of informal cheese tastings makes its first visit to Boxcar Lounge, 168 Avenue B. Please join us as we'll sample and discuss eight of the finest cheeses available in New York. There will be showstoppingly dense and nutty alpine cheeses, buttery, sweet pecorinos, lean, herbaceous goat's milk cheeses. Some of the cheeses will be from Europe and some from elsewhere. I'll discuss the cheeses in terms of their flavor profile, geography and production techniques. It will enable you to become an informed shopper for these cheeses either at a retail counter or when surveying the cheese course at a restaurant. Tickets are $25 and attendees can purchase beers, wines and other spirits of their choice from the well chosen and abundant Boxcar list. For more information and ticket sales please visit Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/154183

February 24 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St., The Joy of Cheese Presents Red, White and Beer.

Alpine cheeses and pecorinos are especially versatile cheeses and in this edition of The Joy of Cheese Red White and Beer comparison series, we will take six (maybe more) fantastic cheeses, including some amazing sheep cheese from northern Italy and dense nutty cheeses both from Switzerland and the United States (and maybe France) and compare them to see what pairs best with what. It all gets going Thursday February 24 at 7:30 Tickets are $30 ($24 if you buy online at and enter the password Serious) and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/onsite/event/154017.

Attendees can buy tickets with cash at the door (there is no “Serious” discount) just alert me of your plans at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com.

February at The Joy of Cheese

In three February events The Joy of Cheese will celebrate the best hard cheeses in New York City. Cheddars, aged goudas, alpine cheeses, pecorinos and other fine examples of expertly aged cheeses paired with superb wine or craft-brewed beers. Here are the details.

February 1 at 7:30 at d.b.a Brooklyn 113 North 7th St, The Joy of Cheese Presents Crunchy! Fine Hard Cheese & Great Beers to Match

The very best firm cheeses have distinct tangy flavors and pleasantly salty finishes; they are almost perfectly suited to pair with a variety of beers. At this event, I’ll present seven cheeses and Ray Deter, owner of d.b.a and host of Beer Sessions on Heritage Radio Network will present seven beers chosen to specifically the cheese. Good times will ensue. Tickets are $25 ($20 if you enter the password Serious when buying online) at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/onsite/event/145253

February 8 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St. The Joy of Cheese & The Classics at Clerkenwell Present Red, Red Wine.

Yes, actually, you can pair red wines with cheese. It is harder to pair cheese with red wine than white ones due to the richness and complexity of flavors in most reds, but it can be done. Please join us February 8 at 7:30 at Clerkenwell as we explore eight cornerstone hard cheeses that pair well with red wines. I’ll discuss each cheese in terms of its geography, flavor profile, production style and of course why it pairs well with red wine. Tickets are $25 ($20 if you buy online and enter the password Serious) and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/onsite/event/154010.

February 24 at 7:30 at Culturefix, 9 Clinton St., The Joy of Cheese Presents Red, White and Beer.

Alpine cheeses and pecorinos are especially versatile cheeses and in this edition of The Joy of Cheese Red White and Beer comparison series, we will take six (maybe more) fantastic cheeses, including some amazing sheep cheese from northern Italy and dense nutty cheeses both from Switzerland and the United States (and maybe France) and compare them to see what pairs best with what. It all gets going Thursday February 24 at 7:30 Tickets are $30 ($24 if you buy online at and enter the password Serious) and available at Brown Paper Tickets, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/onsite/event/154017.

You can buy tickets with cash at the door (there is no “Serious” discount) just alert me of your plans at thejoyofcheese@gmail.com.

I hope to see you over some cheese.

-Martin

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

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 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

The First Events of 2010

For the fourth consecutive year, The Joy of Cheese will devote January to blue cheeses. This year's series, Everyday...I have the blues, is split into several separate and complimentary themes. Here's the sked.

NOTE: THE JANUARY 26TH EVENT IS NOW AT THE CLERKENWELL, 49 CLINTON ST.

January 12 at 7 at d.b.a Brooklyn, 113 North 7th St. (between Berry and Wythe): Classic Blues and beers to match.
This tasting will pair five blues two non blues and seven beers that stand up to the pepperiness of great blues like Roquefort Mons, Colston Bassett Stilton and others. Tickets are $20 and the link to Brown Paper Tickets is http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93499
January 19 at 7:30 at Stella, 213 Front St. (between Beekman and Peck Slip near the Seaport): New Blues and Belgian Beers to match.
This tasting will pair several of the best new blues from here and abroad and pair them with the sweeter beers of Belgium. Tickets are $40 and the Brown Paper Tickets link is http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93500.
January 26 at 7:30 at The Clerkenwell, 49 Clinton St., we will do some classic and some contemporary blues in a presentation called Deep Blues and wines to match. There will be eight resonant blues with wines and beers chosen from the Clerkenwell menu to match. Tickets are $25, (you pay for your drinks separately) and available via Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/94285

Also, join The Joy of Cheese Facebook Page where you will find links to interesting stories on cheese and a Fromage of the Day!


-MJ