Beemster Cheese Crowned 2026 World Champion in Wisconsin
At the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest, Beemster Royaal Grand Cru was named the World Champion Cheese. This prestigious title was awarded by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Beemster Royaal Grand Cru outperformed 3,375 entries from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states.
Beemster Cheese: A Taste of Excellence
Produced by CONO Kaasmakers in Westbeemster, Netherlands, Beemster Royaal Grand Cru scored an impressive 98.68 out of 100. This cow’s milk cheese is renowned for its rich, nutty flavor and firm texture, characterized by distinctive ripening crystals. The cheese is crafted from 100 percent Noord Holland pasture milk, contributing to its unique taste.
Recognition from Experts
Sjoerd Hiemstra, the cheese master at CONO Kaasmakers, expressed pride in this achievement. He noted that the high score from an international jury highlights the quality of their production process. Hiemstra remarked, “When a cheese scores so highly, you know that everything is just right—from the milk to the making of the cheese to the ripening.”
Top Contenders
- Second Place: Appenzeller Purple Label (Swiss cheese) – Score: 98.45
- Third Place: Alter Fritz (Swiss cheese) – Score: 98.41
John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, highlighted how closely contested the top positions were, with the leading cheeses separated by just fractions of a point.
Acknowledgment of Cooperative Efforts
Jerry Griep, the managing director of CONO Kaasmakers, emphasized the collaborative nature of this achievement. He stated that the award recognizes the combined efforts of the cooperative’s dairy farmers and cheesemakers. “People are seeking authentic products with distinctive flavor,” he added, reflecting on the global appreciation for their cheese.
Other Notable Beemster Cheeses
Alongside Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, other Beemster cheeses also earned accolades. These include:
- Beemster 30+ Mature
- Beemster Jalapeño
- Beemster Smoked
World Championship Cheese Contest Highlights
The contest, held from March 3–5, is recognized as the largest technical evaluation of dairy products worldwide. U.S. cheesemakers claimed a total of 96 Best of Class awards. Wisconsin led with 45 first-place finishes, while New York and Vermont contributed eight and seven top finishes, respectively. Other countries achieving gold medals included Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, and Spain.
This year’s event reaffirmed the global status of cheese craftsmanship, with Beemster Royaal Grand Cru setting the standard for quality and flavor.
