🧀 Limburger Love: A Funky Favorite That’s Still Got It

Dedicated to my late grandfather, Howard Thiede, ❤️
who unapologetically loved Limburger cheese piled high with raw onions on dark rye bread — always enjoyed with a cold beer by his side.
His bold taste and love for Wisconsin tradition inspire every cheesy bite I share. 🧅🍞🍺

Trend Alert: Blog #3 in our Cheese Trends of 2025 Series focuses on nostalgia.

Nostalgia reigns in 2025, with 65% of consumers leaning into familiar favorites like cheddar, gouda, and feta. But here in Wisconsin, we think it’s high time to give a little love to one of our most unapologetically bold hometown heroes: Limburger.

What’s the Deal with Limburger?

If you’ve ever caught a whiff of Limburger from across the room, you know this cheese isn’t shy. Born in Europe but perfected here in Wisconsin’s Monroe region, Limburger is famous (or infamous) for its bold aroma. It’s the ultimate cheese for those who like their flavors as unapologetic as their personality.

Who Makes It?

Chalet Cheese Co-op in Monroe is the last U.S. producer of authentic Limburger. These local cheesemakers are true artisans carrying on a stinky, beautiful tradition — and they do it with pride.

Fun Local Chalet Story

Chalet isn’t just about the cheese; it’s about community. Monroe, known as the Swiss Cheese Capital, hosts festivals celebrating the cheese heritage, and Chalet is at the heart of it all. A little known fact: Chalet’s Limburger cheese spread is a perfect intro for the Limburger curious. If the block of Limburger intimidates you, the spread is a smooth, flavorful way to join the Limburger fan club.

The Flavor & Texture

Limburger is a washed-rind cheese, which means the rind gets lovingly bathed in a salty solution to encourage that signature aroma and flavor. The texture is semi-soft and creamy, and the flavor? Think bold, tangy, slightly sweet with a savory finish. Perfectly paired with pungent raw onions and hearty rye bread, it’s a true Wisconsin classic.

Killer Recipe: Classic Limburger Sandwich

• Ingredients:

  • Thick slice of dark rye bread 🍞

  • Generous slab of Chalet Limburger 🧀

  • Thinly sliced raw onions 🧅

  • A smear of mustard (Dijon or spicy brown)

  • Fresh cracked black pepper

• Assembly:
  Toast the rye bread lightly. Spread mustard, top with Limburger, then a mound of raw onions. Crack black pepper over the top.

• Perfect Beer Pairing:
  A crisp, refreshing Pilsner or a smooth Kolsch-style lager works wonders here — think local Wisconsin brews like New Glarus Spotted Cow or Lakefront Riverwest Stein. The light maltiness and clean finish balance Limburger’s bold funk beautifully.

Quick Bite Pairing: Limburger Spread + Bavarian Pretzels 🥨

For a fun, easy snack board, pair Chalet Limburger spread with warm Bavarian-style pretzels, whole-grain mustard, and sliced apples or pears. This combo balances the funky cheese with a soft salty pretzel and sweet fresh fruit — pure Wisconsin comfort food vibes. 🍏🍐

🧀 Limburger Lore & Local Fun Moments

• The Stink-Off Legend: Monroe used to host unofficial “stink-offs,” daring folks to brave the Limburger aroma. Only the tough (or nostril-less) made it through!

• Pop Culture Cameos: Limburger’s famous funk has made it a star in cartoons and classic comedies — it’s the cheese that steals every scene. 🎬

• Chalet’s Family Pride: Chalet Cheese Co-op is the only U.S. Limburger maker, proudly keeping this bold tradition alive for generations. 🏆

• Old-School Sandwich Traditions: A true Wisconsin gathering usually means Limburger, rye bread, and raw onions on the table. It’s a bold lunch ritual and Midwestern heritage all wrapped up in one. 🧅🍞🧀

• Limburger Love Letters: Fans write in sharing stories of grandpas swearing by it, first daring bites, and lifelong devotion to the stinky wonder. 💌

Why We Love Limburger (Besides the Funk) — Expanded Edition ❤️🧀

Because it’s Wisconsin in a bite — bold, unique, and unapologetically local. Supporting Limburger means supporting the last Limburger makers in the state and keeping a quirky cheese tradition alive. It’s a cheese for the brave, the curious, and cheese lovers who want to taste real Wisconsin history and funk in every bite.

Plus — Limburger has a way of bringing people together. Whether at county fairs, family picnics, or your neighborhood cheese shop, sharing a slice sparks stories, laughter, and a little friendly debate (“You smell it, you love it!”). It’s a rite of passage, a conversation starter, and a reminder that cheese is more than food — it’s culture, heritage, and heart.

So here’s to Limburger — the boldest, stinkiest, most Wisconsin-y cheese there is. Because sometimes, the best things in life come with a little funk. 💥

Available now at Vern’s Cheese in Green Bay and Chilton — and distributed all over Wisconsin by Vern’s to your local specialty shops and retailers. 🚚