It’s Beer week in DC, and we thought about attending a cheese/beer tasting at Cafe StEx.  They were featuring Brooklyn Beer (a favorite of  TT and I) and Cowgirl Creamery cheese.  We’ve mentioned free tastings before and we were up to checking out the bar.  Last night we discovered it would cost $20 each, and so between the time and money, we could create our own DC beer week…and so we did.

I walked over to Cowgirl after work with ideas of what to buy in hand.  I tried many and ended up with 4 (at least 2 more than planned).  The “cow” cheese ended up being the Bellwether Farms’ Carmoday from Sonoma but made from Jersey milk.  It’s “a firm cow milk cheese with buttery intensity.”  I moved to the “sheep” cheese next, and picked another from Bellwether Farms.  Pepato is a cheese with peppercorns in it, and is salty like a Manchego with the spice of the pepper.  Finally, I was convinced to round out my cheese plate with a “goat” cheese.  Midnight Moon is essentially a Gouda from Holland.  The Goat is not overwhelming so W and I agree it’s good.

Not so finally, I was there, and the infamous Pt. Reyes blue was there, so I was “forced” to buy the standard quarter pound.  This year has a slightly different flavor, as it’s a bit more harsh.  We’ve learned though, different seasons produce different cheese.   Maybe we should just buy 3 pounds of it every winter.  The Buttermilk Blue from Wisconsin is in the running for “Top Blue” cheese these days but I’m told the Pt. Reyes has a Reserve (we are yet to find or taste).

Tonight’s cheeses were great all around and are suggested if looking for a variety of cheeses that have good flavor and are not overwhelming.  Oh…and Pumpkin beer is already out in select stores, so buy it while you can!