Brick

Brick is a Wisconsin original cheese sold in 12 to 17 oz blocks by Keystone Cheese. First made by John Jossi around 1877, it was named for its shape, since cheesemakers originally used bricks to press the moisture from the cheese. Some brick cheeses resemble Germany's surface-ripened beer cheese, or beer kase, and Wisconsin leads the nation in Brick production.

At a glance

• Size: 12 to 17 oz blocks
• Type: Brick, a Wisconsin original
• Milk: Cow
• History: First made by John Jossi around 1877
• Origin: Wisconsin
• Vendor: Keystone Cheese
• Shipping: Perishable; does not ship over the weekend

Best for

• Cheese and charcuterie boards
• Pairing with hearty beers
• Pairing with white and red wines
• Everyday snacking and sandwiches
• A gift for a Wisconsin-cheese fan

Pairings

Wisconsin Brick likes solid, salt-of-the-earth brews and wines. For beer, reach for a bock, stout, pale ale, weiss beer, porter, or brown ale. For wine, chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot, champagne, riesling, sauvignon blanc, beaujolais, pinot gris, and gruner veltliner are all wise choices.

Flavor profile

A mild, semi-soft Wisconsin original that pairs naturally with hearty brews and wines.

About Keystone Cheese

Keystone Cheese is a Wisconsin purveyor of farm-fresh and aged cheeses, shipped straight from the creamery to keep flavor and texture at their peak.