What Is Brick Cheese?
A semi-hard, surface-ripened cheese, originally from Wisconsin, known for its mild to pungent aroma and good melting qualities.
What Does Brick Cheese Taste Like?
Brick Cheese has a mild, buttery, sweet, developing a pungent, earthy, and slightly barny flavor with age taste with mildly lactic when young, becoming pungent, yeasty, and sometimes "brick-like" with age aromas.
- Taste
- Mild, Buttery, Sweet, developing a Pungent, Earthy, and slightly Barny flavor with age
- Texture
- Semi-soft to firm, Creamy, Smooth, Good melt
- Aroma
- Mildly lactic when young, becoming Pungent, Yeasty, and sometimes "Brick-like" with age
- Acidity
- Low-Medium
Technical Metrics
Nutrition Facts
Per 28 g (1 oz)Chef’s Secret
For the best grilled cheese, grate brick cheese to ensure even melting and distribution within the sandwich.
Brick Cheese Substitutes & Ratios
The best substitute for Brick Cheese is Muenster Cheese, used at a 1:1 ratio. Very similar in texture, melt, and mild flavor, though typically less pungent.
| Substitute | Ratio | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Muenster Cheese Best | 1:1 | Very similar in texture, melt, and mild flavor, though typically less pungent. |
| Fontina Cheese | 1:1 | Excellent melting qualities and nutty, earthy flavor, slightly firmer. |
| Havarti Cheese | 1:1 | Creamy texture and buttery, mild flavor, but generally no pungency. |
| Young Limburger | 1:1 | For developing pungency, but Brick is typically firmer and milder. |
How to Choose & Store Brick Cheese
- Look for "mild" for sandwiches or "aged" for stronger flavor.
- Check for a slightly reddish-orange rind, indicating proper washing.
What Pairs Well With Brick Cheese?
- Rye bread
- mustard
- onions
- beer (lager
- pilsner)
- full-bodied red wines
- grilled cheese sandwiches
- macaroni and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brick Cheese taste like?
Mild, Buttery, Sweet, developing a Pungent, Earthy, and slightly Barny flavor with age Mildly lactic when young, becoming Pungent, Yeasty, and sometimes "Brick-like" with age
What is a good substitute for Brick Cheese?
The best substitute is Muenster Cheese (1:1). Very similar in texture, melt, and mild flavor, though typically less pungent.
How do you choose and store Brick Cheese?
Look for "mild" for sandwiches or "aged" for stronger flavor. Check for a slightly reddish-orange rind, indicating proper washing.