Cork & Rind Cheese Class - Show Me the Cheese

Now that my work schedule has changed, I was free to go to another cheese class! This one was even better than the last! That may have been due to being able to round up several of my friends to join me since quite a few of them live on "THAT side of the river".

Not only did Flory's Truckle appear again, there were TWO amazing cheeses by Green Dirt Farms. And I think I had the best cheese by Baetje Farms that I have tried.

Show Me the Cheese List

We started off light with the German Quark by Hemme Brothers Creamery. I thought quark was more like ricotta or mascarpone texted, but this was more like a spreadable goat cheese. Either way, it was a delicious spread.

Cheese plate

Next up were the two Green Dirt Farms cheeses: Ruby an Aux Arcs, which is pronounced "Ozarks"! I love the play on spelling there.

The Ruby had a texture of a brie but had way more funk to it and the Aux Arcs was more firm, closer to a cheddar. You can thank the sheep / cow blend for that bit of funk to their cheeses.

Flory's Truckle, I talked about in my previous cheese class post here: https://www.stlcheesegirl.com/2022/08/cork-rind-cheese-class-kevins-favorites.html

TLDR: One of the best cheddars I have ever had.

The last cheese was pretty amazing as the Miette by Baetje Farms was the funkiest of them all. A goat cheese with a white bloomy rind on the outside. It just melts in your mouth. 

All the funky cheese came home with me that night!

Resources:

Cork & Rind = https://www.corkandrind.com/

Photos by Lara Struttman

Cork & Rind Cheese Class - Kevin's Favorites

While Patience was out of the country, I decided to treat myself to a cheese class up in St. Charles County at Cork & Rind. I'm a big fan of Kevin, the cheesemonger, and I used to know him in a past life as he used to coach football at my high school. Kevin knows cheese and therefore has my utmost respect.

I believe the theme of this class was his favorites and he picked all winners.

Kevin's Favorite Cheeses

One of my favorites was Flory's Truckle, the lone Missouri cheese, which I first tasted at the American Cheese Conference several years ago in Des Moines. I was blown away at how complex this cheddar tastes so look for it at specialty shops.

Kevin's favorite cheeses with green olives and crackers

Another complex cheese, and most interesting visually, is the Irish Porter. The porter gives the cheese a hoppy flavor with hints of chocolate or caramel.

You can sign up for Cork & Rind's mailing list to learn about future classes. Unfortunately, I am sick this week and couldn't make it to this month's cheese class.

Resources:

Cork & Rind = https://www.corkandrind.com/

Cork & Rind Irish Cheese Class 2019

I was so happy to get the chance to visit Cork & Rind again for another cheese class and to see my former coach and current cheesemonger.

He got into the spirit by wearing a Leprechaun outfit!

Cheesemonger Kevin Kinney

Two of the cheeses were paired with beer and two paired with whiskey!

Cheese Pairing Menu

Starting at the top of the plate, my favorites were the first two Irish cheddars: Truly Grass Fed from Dublin, Ireland and Cahill's from Westmeath, Ireland. (I purchased the former to take home!)

The Cahill's Irish Porter Cheddar  was of course a perfect pairing with a Guinness Extra Stout. The marbling throughout the cheese is just beautiful.

On the left, a blue cheese, Cashel Blue was soft and fairly sweet. Definitely a good dessert cheese, without being overpowering. (I still noticed a few pieces of blue cheese left on plates. hehe)

There was also provided a little chutney, but I just spread it on the homemade bread as a snack.

Cheese Plate

You know I made faces trying to taste the whiskey, Kilbeggan Small Batch Irish Rye Whiskey and Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey, so the Smithwick's Irish Red Ale was the winner for me!

I find ryes to be a lot smoother for me, so that was my preference between the two whiskeys.

I love the classes here and I just wish we weren't so far away.

Resources:

Cork & Rind = https://www.corkandrind.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Cork & Rind Holiday Cheese Plate Class

I haven't been to a cheese class in forever.

At least it feels that way and I know my former cheese class friends, Lara and Mike, attend wine classes at Cork & Rind religiously. Each month, I jealously watch their check-ins on Facebook pop up, wishing I could attend with them.

I kept waiting to find a good time of year to make the trek out to St. Charles for a class. When I ran into Lara, we talked about it again and she pointed out that the December class was cheese-themed so I couldn't say no. I decided to follow through this time.

I was so happy that I finally made the decision to attend as the cheesemonger turned out to be one of my old high school teachers! Here was someone else passionate about football and cheese - JUST LIKE ME!

For this cheese class, we got to try seven different cheeses and you get one free drink to go along with your class purchase. You get to choose between two wines, two beers, or two whiskeys being featured that night.

Menu

Not only did Cheesemonger / Coach Kevin Kinney walk us through the cheeses, but he suggested pairings with the cheese, best ways to cut the cheese, as well as how to present the cheese on a board. Always something to learn!

Cheese selection and Cheesemonger Kevin Kinney

Of course we had to buy a couple of samples to bring home!

Resources:

Cork & Rind = https://www.corkandrind.com/