via: Pexels / Pixabay
Like any cheese lover, cheese of the month clubs are a no brainer.
Because cheese is one of the favorite treats... so much so, that I actually went out and bought some cheese from my local grocery store while writing this because I started to crave it.
Luckily for me (and people like me) cheese of the month clubs exist so now we don't even have to leave the house to enjoy the cheesy goodness we love.
Contents
What is a Cheese of the Month Club?
via: Pexels / Pixabay
A cheese of the month club is a subscription that usually includes:
- 1 - 2 lbs. of delicious, hand-cut, artisan cheese surrounded by ice packs in an insulated box (you don't want your cheese getting warm!)
- A newsletter or fact sheet with information like tasting notes, food and drink pairings, and information about the folks who made your cheese.
- 1-day shipping so your cheese gets to you as soon as possible.
But they're not all created equal (that's why it's import to pick one of the top clubs below).
The 7 Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
via: Unsplash / Camille Brodard ~ Kmile Feminine Creative Designer
Let's be honest. The people in charge of these cheese clubs know what they're doing. It's their mission to educate and share their passion for cheese with the world.
So before you get the inevitable craving, I highly suggest you get (or gift!) one of these 7 best cheese of the month clubs.
1. The Original Gourmet Cheese Club
via: Monthly Clubs
Cost:
$38.95 @ The Original Gourmet Cheese Club
Delivery Frequency:
Monthly, Bi-Monthly, or Every three months
Subscription Types:
1 to 12 month subscriptions
Amount of Cheese per Month:
Approx. 1.5 lbs.
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
@ 1/2 lb. each
About The Original Gourmet Cheese Club
The Original Gourmet Cheese Club was founded over 20 years ago by passionate cheese lovers and is one of the many fine club options available through monthlyclubs.com.
Their Cheesemongers work closely with the gourmet food group, Zingerman's (rated one of the 25 World's Best Food Markets by Food & Wine magazine) to find traditionally-made artisanal cheeses from around the world to include in the Original Gourmet Cheese of the Month Club.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Some of the club's most recent selections include:
Castelrosso (Italy) - Semi-firm; Cow cheese; Aged 3 months
Beehive Promontory (Uinta, UT) - Semi-firm; Cow cheese; Aged 8 months
Cambozola Classic (Germany) - Semi-soft; Blue; Cow cheese; Aged 3 months
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
Here are a few reasons this is one of the favorite cheese clubs:
| International Varieties | The club's buyers travel internationally and sometimes spend hours in a cold aging room, sampling cheeses from hundreds of batches of the same cheese just to find the perfect selection for the club. |
|---|---|
| Custom Club Pairings | monthlyclubs.com has an enormous number of other clubs (beer, wine, chocolate, cigars, & flowers) that you can pair with your cheese subscription and create your own personalized club! |
| Straight From the Source | They find the most traditional cheese interpretations directly from the country of origin in order to offer the most conventional cheese experience. |
| Seasoned Cheesemongers | All of the club's cheesemongers are widely respected by their peers and have judged at national competitions hosted by The American Cheese Society. |
| Cut Right Before Shipping | Their cheeses are hand-cut from wheels immediately before being packaged and shipped to ensure they have only a limited time in the open air so you'll get cheeses that are fresh and full of flavor. |
| Don't Like It? No Problem! | With a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, the club will replace or refund your order if their cheeses don't meet your standards. You can also start with a 1-month subscription before you commit to any more! |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
The Original Gourmet Cheese of the Month Club ships to the continental 48 states, but cannot ship to Hawaii or Alaska.
Becoming a Member
If you'd like to become a member of the Original Gourmet Cheese Club, click here and buy a subscription for yourself or gift it to someone special.
When you become a member, you'll also receive the In Pursuit of Cheese monthly newsletter highlighting the monthly cheeses' tasting notes and profiles, the cheesemakers' histories, and serving suggestions.
2. The Rare Cheese Club
via: Monthly Clubs
Cost: $55.95
Delivery Frequency: Monthly, Bi-Monthly, Quarterly
Subscription Types: However many you like + An ongoing option
Amount of Cheese per Month: 3
# of Cheese Styles per Month: 3 @ 1/2 lb. each
About The Rare Cheese Club
The Rare Cheese Club is a new addition to the MonthlyClubs.com lineup of fantastic subscription services. And it pairs quite well with their other monthly clubs.
The difference between this club and The Original Gourmet Cheese Club (besides price) is the fact that each cheese you'll receive is made in small batches, with many only produced in certain regions, and some on their first tour of the U.S.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Some of the club's most recent selections include:
Los Cameros Red Label (Spain) - Firm; Cow, Sheep, Goat; Aged 6 months.
Manchester by Zingerman's Creamery (United States) - Soft; Bloomy Rind; Cow; Aged 2-4 weeks.
Tarentaise Reserve (United States) - Semi-Soft; Cow; Aged 12-18 months.
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
Here are quite a few reasons this is one of our favorite cheese clubs:
| The Perfect Gift | The Rare Cheese Club makes the perfect gift, especially around the holidays! |
|---|---|
| Manchego From France? No Way! | All the cheeses in this club are purchased from the place of origin. For example, if you get Manchego, it's guaranteed to come from the La Mancha region in Spain. |
| How Many Months? Doesn't Matter! | Want only one shipment to try it out? No problem! You won't get roped into a 3-month commitment if you don't want it. |
| Family-Owned Means Extra Care | If you receive cheeses that don't meet your standards, ship 'em back and get a refund. Their commitment to customer satisfaction has earned Monthly Clubs an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. |
| The 3-Wrap Method | All of the cheeses in The Rare Cheese Club are wrapped in a clear quick sheet... Then an opaque slow sheet... Then paper. It makes the cheese breathe easier. |
| Discounts, Discounts, Discounts! | Monthly Clubs loves your business so much that they offer up to a $25 discount! |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
The Rare Cheese Club ships to the continental 48 states, but cannot ship to Hawaii or Alaska.
Becoming a Member
If you’d like to become a member of the Original Gourmet Cheese Club, click here and buy a subscription for yourself or gift it to someone special.
When you become a member, you’ll also receive the In Pursuit of Cheese monthly newsletter highlighting the monthly cheeses’ tasting notes and profiles, the cheesemakers’ histories, and serving suggestions.
3. Wisconsin Cheese of the Month
via: Wisconsin Made
Cost:
Delivery Frequency:
Monthly
Subscription Types:
3-month, 6-month, and 9-month subscriptions
Amount of Cheese per Month:
1 lb./ 2 lbs.
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
1
About The Wisconsin Cheese of the Month Club
In 1841, Anne Picket founded Wisconsin's first commercial cheese factory and these days, Wisconsin produces billions of pounds of cheese a year...
...so they know how to make cheese in Wisconsin.
And that is why The Wisconsin Cheese of the Month Club is on this list.
The club gathers hand-cut, high quality cheeses from certified, artisanal, Wisconsin Cheesemakers who have been in the business of making delicious Wisconsin cheese for a long time.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Some of the club's recent cheeses are:
Gouda (by Marieke Gouda) - Thorp, WI
Brick Cheese (by Babcock Hall Dairy) - Madison, WI
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Spread (by Pine River Dairy) - Manitowoc, WI
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
Some perks of the club include:
| Common Choices | All of the cheeses in this club are your everyday Wisconsin-made cheeses (like Colby and Baby Swiss) so they're perfect for someone who chooses to enjoy traditional flavors. |
|---|---|
| Award-Winning Cheese | The club includes Award-winning cheeses from Master Cheesemakers like Gary Olson from Babcock Hall Dairy, Bob Willis of Cedar Grove Cheese, and Steve Stettler at Decatur Dairy. |
| Commitment to Quality | The heat of summer is terrible for cheese so the club doesn't ship in June, July, or August to ensure you receive only the best Wisconsin cheese when it's best for the cheese. |
| Cheese Recipes | The club has a recipe forum where you can find detailed and delicious recipes to help you utilize your monthly Wisconsin cheese. |
| Wisconsin Gifts Galore | If you're a Wisconsin fan or want to experience more of its gourmet food, wisconsinmade.com has plenty of other clubs and gift baskets like flowers, ice cream, Brattwurst, and Danish Cringles you can choose from. |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
The Wisconsin Cheese of the Month Club ships September through May to all states except Alaska and Hawaii. No Canada or overseas shipping available yet.
Becoming a Member
To become a member or to gift the 1 lb. option of this cheese of the month club, click here.
4. Murray's Classic Cheese of the Month
via: Murray's Cheese
Cost:
Delivery Frequency:
Monthly, Custom options are available
Subscription Types:
Month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions
Amount of Cheese per Month:
1.5 lbs.
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
3 - 4 selections
About Murray's Cheese of the Month Club
Murray's Cheese, founded in 1940 by Murray Greenberg is native to Greenwich Village and was purchased by Rob Kaufelt in 1991. Earlier in 2017, The Kroger Co.purchased the equity of Murray's Cheese and now can be found in over 350 Kroger stores in 30 States.
But even though Murray's is now corporate-owned...
...their commitment to connecting Americans with delicious cheeses and gourmet food items from around the world is still as strong as ever.
And that commitment shines through in Murray's Cheese of the Month Club!
Each month you'll receive 3 half-pound cheeses from all corners of the world, aged in Murray's state-of-the-art Cheese Caves so your cheeses are shipped at the peak of their ripeness.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Some of the cheeses included in Cheesemonger’s Picks of the Month Club:
Stepladder Creamery Ragged Point - Perfect to pair with Farmhouse Ales, Sparkling Wine
Jasper Hill Farm Alpha Tolman - Pair it with Porters & Stouts, Merlot
Point Reyes Original Blue - Pair this with Champagne, Port
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
Here are a handful of reasons why we love this club:
| More Cheese Clubs | For the sake of continuity, we've highlighted Murray's Classic Cheese of the Month Club, but they have other cheese club options like the Munchies of the Month Club, and the Perfect Pair of the Month Club, which are fine alternatives worth looking into. |
|---|---|
| Multiple Cheese Caves | Murray's has worked closely with cheesemakers and affineurs (experts in cheese aging) to create 4 unique Cheese Caves, each explicitly monitored for different types of cheese. The cave's temperatures, humidity, and microbial activity is individually adjusted to ensure the cheeses inside are perfectly ripened. |
| Quality Shipping Methods | Cheeses are cut to order, wrapped in a breathable cheese paper (so it can continue aging on its way to you), placed in a thermal lined box with reusable gel packs, and shipped overnight to arrive to you the very next day. |
| Tastings Each Month | At the beginning of each month, the club's cheesemongers go into the caves and taste all of their cheeses - for science, of course - but also to ensure they pick the cheeses that taste the best for that month. |
| Top Notch Customer Service | You can speak directly to the people who chose your cheese from 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday. If there's a problem with your order, they'll do everything possible to ensure you're satisfied as long as you let them know within 48 hours of receipt. |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
The club ships to all contiguous US States and is usually 1-day shipping (for freshness). All include free shipping except for month-to-month subscriptions with a free tasting notebook on the first shipment. They do not ship overseas or to Canada.
Becoming a Member
To become a member of Murray's Cheese of the Month Club, and enjoy fine hand-selected cheeses each month, click here. Gift options are available at checkout.
5. Cheesyplace Cheese of the Month Club
via: Cheesy Place
Cost:
$69.95 @ cheesyplace.com (ships to Canada only)
Delivery Frequency:
Monthly, Bi-Monthly, or Quarterly
Subscription Types:
Monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions
Amount of Cheese per Month:
1.5 lbs. or more
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
3 @ 1/2 lb. each
About The Cheesyplace Cheese of the Month Club
After years selling cheese in a small Toronto-based cheese shop franchise, cheesyplace.com was founded to connect not only Torontonians, but all Canadians to some of the tastiest cheeses from all over Canada and Europe.
The club has garnered strong, friendly relationships with cheesemakers to ensure you'll have hard-to-find, savory cheeses delivered to your door every month for as long as you like and with fantastic customer service, they're our favorite choice for you Canadians.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Here are a few of their recently featured cheeses:
St. Julien Walnut (France) - Rich; Dry; Crunchy; It's cheese with walnut on top
Tete A Papineau (Quebec) - Semi-soft; Cow Cheese; Aged from 35 days to 2 months
Geai Bleu (New Brunswick) - Soft; Cow cheese; Aged 2 months minimum
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
Here's why it's our favorite Canadian cheese club:
| Extra Items | The club includes 1-3 additional items every month (like extra cheese, condiments, crackers, etc.) just because they appreciate your business. |
|---|---|
| Renew Yourself | The subscriptions don't automatically renew so you don't have to worry about any unexpected charges. |
| More Than Just Cow Cheese | You can often expect Sheep's milk cheese, Blue Cheese, Goat Cheese, and mixed varieties in addition to your typical cow fare. |
| Know the Facts! | Every month you'll receive a fact sheet that explains the types of cheese that month, their profiles, and pairing notes. |
| Charges Before Shipping | The club charges you a few days before shipping your order so you can make any changes or skip the month entirely and get a refund. |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
The cheesyplace.com Cheese of the Month Club ships only to Canada. Shipping costs are based on which part of Canada you live in.
Becoming a Member
To become a member of the cheesyplace.com Cheese of the Month Club, or to gift a membership to a friend, click here.
6. International Cheese of the Month Club
via: igourmet
Cost:
Delivery Frequency:
3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Amount of Cheese per Month:
Approx. 1.5 lbs.
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
3 @ 1/2 lb. each
About The International Cheese of the Month Club
igourmet.com was founded in 1997 and has since become one of the internet's leading sources for gourmet foods and fantastic gifts.
Their cheese club has only added to their reputation by importing cheese from some of the highest quality cheesemongers from every corner of the globe.
Each month they ship hand-cut gourmet cheeses from overseas that are specifically selected - sometimes as part of a theme (all the cheeses come from Italy for that month) - and ship it safely to your door.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Here are a few of their great, recently featured cheeses:
Grogonzola Dolce DOP (Italy) - Soft; Blue; Cow Cheese; Aged 50 days minimum
Beemster Pumpkin Spice (The Netherlands) - Semi-Soft; Cow Cheese; Aged 1 month
Mimolette Jeune (France) - Semi-hard; Cow cheese; Aged 3 months
Why It's One of the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
There are lots of reasons why we love this club:
| Recipe Forum | Becoming a member gives you access to the recipe forum at igourmet.com sure to inspire you to experiment with your cheese. |
|---|---|
| 100% Satisfaction Guarantee | igourmet.com values brand loyalty above all else so if there's ever a problem or you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll reship or refund your order with no hassle at all. |
| Monthly Newsletter | If you're unfamiliar with the cheese world, the monthly newsletter included with your shipment will help you figure out what to pair it with and where it came from. |
| Freshwave Guarantee | The club's Freshwave packaging system guarantees your cheese will arrive completely fresh and ready to enjoy. They even recommend that you reuse the packaging because it keeps things cool for such a long time. |
| Club Pairings | With countless other clubs to choose from (hot sauce, bacon, and charcuterie to name a few), adding another club to pair with your cheese is easy and delicious! |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
Shipping is available to all of the US (including its Islands in the Pacific for $30 extra). They do not ship overseas or to Canada.
Becoming a Member
To become a member of the International Cheese Club, click this link and choose your monthly membership on the right-hand side of the screen. Gift options are available at checkout.
7. Di Bruno Bro's Cheese
via: Di Bruno Brother's
Cost:
$200 for 4 months for the Cheese Pairing 101 Club
Delivery Frequency:
4, 8, 0r 12 Months,
Amount of Cheese per Month:
1 Wedge of Cheese Expert Pairing Items
# of Cheese Styles per Month:
One Cheese Style per Month
About The Di Bruno Bro's
The Di Bruno Brothers are the quintessential story of the American Dream. Two brothers immigrated from Italy in the 1930s passing through Ellis Island on their way to Philadelphia. What began as a humble Italian grocery store morphed into the House of Cheese in the mid 1960s and the boy's meteoric rise in the culinary world was unstoppable.
A new generation of the family is running the business now and these cheese experts are slinging their stinky wears online as well as in multiple neighborhood locations in South Philly.
Recently Featured Cheeses
Recent Pairings:
Colston Bassett Stilton
Blood Orange & Grappa Jam
Di Bruno's Dark Chocolate Bar with Sea Salt
Appleby's Cheshire
Tishbi Onion Cabernet Jam
Finocchiona
There are lots of reasons why we love this club:
| In House Cheeses | The vast majority of the cheeses available from Di Bruno's are made in house with 80 years of expertise. |
|---|---|
| Curated Pairings | World-class cheese mongers take ample time to share some truly unique pairing options with their customers. |
| More Than Just Cheese | What goes great with cheese? Cured meats. And the Di Bruno Brothers have you covered there with a staggering number of cured meat options, including subscription clubs. |
| Selection | After spending an hour going through their offerings, I'm not sure there's a variety of cheese that exists that you can't get from Di Bruno Brothers. Their expertise runs deep. |
| Guaranteed | Being a family run business, their goal is to make it right. Let them know you're not satisfied and it looks like they'll bend over backward to accommodate you. |
Shipping and Becoming a Member
Shipping
Club shipping appears to be free ground shipping to all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There is a sliding scale for shipping ad hoc orders but ground shipping is always $13. Cheese is robust... just use the ground shipping and make your life easier.
Becoming a Member
Becoming a member is pretty straight forward. Choose your club, and choose your terms. The minimum commitment to any club is 3 months and the maximum commitment is a year. There doesn't appear to be any price break on how long you sign up for, so we recommend to start slow.
Add your club box to the card, and proceed to check out like normal. Easy peasy.
How to Pick the Best Cheese of the Month Club
via: Pexels / Pixabay
I get it...
...it can be hard to figure out which of these cheese clubs is the best for you.
Here are some tips to help you figure it out:
In general...
- Know what you're willing to spend (Honestly, this applies for everything. Keep those finances in check!)
- Look further into each club's refund policy (Cheese clubs are perishable items and there are usually stipulations for these.)
If it's a gift...
- Go with The Gourmet Cheese of the Month Club (a single month subscription is the perfect one-time gift!)
- Know what your recipient likes (Discreetly ask them their favorite cheeses and choose a club that offers those types)
- Look at the benefits of each club (The above cheese subscriptions vary in quite a few ways.)
If it's for you...
- Be adventurous! (Don't get the same old cheeses you can buy at your grocery store. Pick a club that features new varies you haven't tried before.)
- Buy a Cheese Subscription Box! (Because sometimes you have to treat yourself.)
Cheese Subscription Boxes vs Cheese of the Month Clubs: What's the Difference?
via: Depositphotos / tomeversley
Cheese subscription boxes differ from cheese of the month clubs.
How?
A subscription box is something you buy for yourself and a cheese of the month club is something you buy for someone else.
One of my favorite Cheese Subscription Boxes is Murray's Cheese Club. Those cheese caves and the fact that they taste all of their cheese each month to find the best tasting ones for that month sell the brand for me.
I also like the Cheesyplace because of the free gifts... but I'm not Canadian so I'm out of luck there.
Looking for More Great Of the Month Clubs?
Want something to go with your cheese? Check out these other great of-the-month clubs:
- For hops and malty deliciousness, take a look at our favorite Beer of the Month Clubs.
- A Wine of the Month Club subscription is the perfect gift to pair with a cheese club! - our post
- For the man who likes a smooth Parejo or Figurado, the Cigar of the Month Club is a smart choice. - our post
- Who doesn't love Bacon? A Bacon of the Month Club subscription is a fantastic gift idea. - our post
In Conclusion
So now that your mouth is watering and you understand more about the best cheese of the month clubs, it's time for you to pick your own!
You can't go wrong with any of them and they're all guaranteed to ship fresh, delectable gourmet cheeses to your door every month.
