A Cheese Tour of Green County, WI

5 must-stop cheese, beer, and scenic spots in and around Green County

You can’t spell Green County without “cheese” and “beer.” Okay, well, yes you can, but that’s besides the point. 

Located southwest of Madison on the border of Illinois, the 16-town, 6-village, and 2-city county is known for its rolling hills, abundance of farmland, small town feel, and, of course, an abundance of cheese and beer to go around. 

Eight friends recently hit the road for a cheese (and beer, and nature, and adventure) tour of Green County via motorcycle. On the day-long trip, they not only took in the scenery but made a few pit-stops along the way to consume some of the county’s best sights, tastiest food, most refreshing beer, and cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.

Here’s a glimpse into their 90-mile journey and some of their favorite stops on the route.

Grilled cheese from Decatur Dairy. [Click to view the interactive map of the trip]

1. Bullwinkles Coffee – Brodhead, Wisconsin

After shining-up their bikes and revving-up their engines, the cheese-hungry crew’s morning started with a stop at Bullwinkles Coffee in Brodhead, Wisconsin. The hand-carved wooden moose drinking a mug of coffee is a warm welcome to any visitors who comes by this long-time establishment in the small community of Brodhead. 

The small log-cabin style drive-up coffee stand brews a mix of speciality lattes, classic drip coffee, and blended ice drinks. Bullwinkles is also known for its rotating list of homemade pastries and breakfast foods, including muffins, cookies, and cheesecake on a stick (yup, you heard that right). 

Best little coffee shop in Green County!

2. Decatur Dairy – Brodhead, Wisconsin

Next up: lunch. Considered by the group to be a “very Wisconsin” establishment, Decatur Dairy is loved by tourists and locals alike for its championship-winning cheese selection. While you could get a slice (or seven) of cheese, the crew stopped here for one thing only: Decatur Dairy’s incredible grilled cheese sandwiches served straight from its cheese factory.

The group ordered the famous ooey, gooey sandwiches slathered with Decatur Dairy’s homemade cheese. If you visit, they argue these grilled cheeses might possibly be the best you’ll find in all of America’s Dairyland. Makes sense when Decatur’s cheese is sent literally all over the world for judging by some of the world’s most renowned cheesemongers. 

Pro Tip: Say “Yes” to the special sauce on the grilled cheese at Decatur Dairy.

3. Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area – Browntown, Wisconsin

When you’re saddled-up on a bike all day (or in a car, for that matter) it’s a great idea to get out and stretch your legs. That’s exactly what the crew did next at one of Green County’s most scenic spots: Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area. 

Located on a spring-fed creek which feeds into two reservoirs, Cadiz Springs offers day-use space for fishing, hiking, swimming, wildlife watching, picnicking, and paddle sports like kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding. It also makes a great photo op when you’ve got sweet motorcycles to show off like this crew of friends. 

Checking the weather at Cadiz Springs to see how soon the rain will hit us.

4. Baumgartner’s Cheese Store – Monroe, Wisconsin 

Ever tried a Limburger and Braunschweiger sandwich? Us either. But the crew had to pit-stop at Baumgartner’s Cheese Store to give them a try. The long-time cheese establishment which opened in 1931 still holds the title today as Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store. Its idyllic location on the square in Monroe is reason enough to stop in this charming town. Add cheese sandwiches into the mix – and you can’t go wrong. 

Most folks in the area stop at Baumgartner’s to specifically to get a taste of the Limburger (rye bread, limburger cheese, and raw onions) and Braunschweiger (rye bread, liverwurst, and raw onions) sandwiches. An adjoined tavern to the cheese store serves up locally-brewed beers – making it a great place to refuel and enjoy local and cultural eats. 

It’s a Swiss thing.

5. Puempel’s Olde Tavern – New Glarus, Wisconsin

Pronounced “pimples” (yes, we understand that’s less than appetizing), Puempel’s Olde Tavern is a must-stop watering hole according to this group of travelers. The Swiss tavern, which was founded in 1893 in the heart of New Glarus, serves cold draft beer out of glass pitchers, fried cheese curds, grilled bratwurst, and much more – satisfying any craving after a long day on the road.

The last two bites of cheese from the Green County tour.

Ending this trip with the most Wisconsin experience ever we’ve ever heard of, the crew partook in a “cheese flight,” a charcuterie board of nothing but local cheeses. As if they needed more.

The country highways of Green County, WI are perfect for an afternoon ride on two wheels.