Here at The Big Cheese, we’re extraordinarily proud of our home state. To an excessive degree, almost. We just LOVE the state of Wisconsin. In fact, in this blog post, we want to share just what we love so much about the state with you. Here’s our list of the ten best things about Wisconsin (including the cheese, of course).

1. New Glarus Beer – Of course, tops on the list must be something involving beer. Don’t get us wrong; we love some cold Miller Lite at a barbecue or the ballpark. However, our pick for Wisconsin’s best beer comes from the unbelievably great New Glarus, a charming, couple-run brewery from a town about 40 minutes to the south of Madison. You can’t go wrong with any of their meticulously crafted beers, especially the fabled “Spotted Cow”—a delicious, old-style Wisconsin farmhouse ale.
2. Cheddar cheese (especially “The Big Cheese”) – We definitely can’t go past #2 without mentioning Wisconsin cheese—we’re not called “America’s Dairyland” for nothing. Here in Wisconsin, we produce one of every four pounds of cheese in the United States; that’s over 3 billion pounds a year. Of course, we’re a bit biased here, but we put our 13-year-old aged cheddar cheese—”The Big Cheese,” the sharpest cheddar ever—right at the top of the list.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Hard to believe the “Greek Freak” is already an eight-year NBA veteran. That’s how long he’s electrified and overjoyed Milwaukee and the whole state of Wisconsin with his astonishing athleticism, scoring prowess, elite defensive ability, and all-around good-guy-ness. The best news? He’ll be here in Wisconsin for a long, long time to come. Who needs L.A. or New York?
4. Lambeau Field and American Family Field – Okay, so our teams within these venues haven’t been able to break through to those championship games quite yet. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate just how gorgeous our baseball and football stadiums are. If you haven’t been to American Family Field for some sausages, fried cheese curds, cold Miller beers, pre-game tailgating, and great baseball (hopefully with a few Bernie Brewer slides), then you’re missing out. As for Lambeau, what more can we say about the greatest sports venue in America? In our opinion, it’s as close as you can get to heaven on Earth.
5. The Fish Fry – There is nothing in the world better than a Friday Wisconsin fish fry on a chilly winter night. Grab a table at a restaurant with friends, sit down in the warmth with some cold beer, and nosh on some delicious deep-fried fish and French fries with a slice of rich rye bread and some tartar sauce on the side. Actually, with all due respect to Lambeau Field, that might be heaven on Earth.
6. Taliesin East in Spring Green – One of Wisconsin’s greatest attractions is this sprawling 800-acre estate showcasing the remarkable work of Frank Lloyd Wright. There’s nothing quite like it in America. For out-of-state visitors, it’s well worth a visit and a site tour to appreciate the masterwork of America’s greatest architect.
7. Harley Davidson – Did you know that Harley Davidson comes from right here in Milwaukee? One of the iconic American brands still makes its headquarters in Cream City. Today, you can stop by the Harley Davidson Museum for a factory tour and some delicious food at its “Motor” restaurant.
8. Door County – Right on the waters of Lake Michigan, Door County is a nature lover’s paradise, full of beautiful parks, lakes, beaches, wetlands, ponds, and forests. Take a trip up in summer for prime fishing and boating opportunities, or just stay on land and browse the charming stores, restaurants, and historic lighthouses that the county offers.
9. Freshwater fishing – Wisconsin features some of the most fertile fishing grounds in the world. Our state comes packed to the gills (pun intended) with amazing lakes, rivers, and streams (and over 160 different types of fish). Spend a day out on the water trying your luck and finish it cooking up your catch alongside a few cold beers.
10. Willem Dafoe – The best actor working today without an Oscar? For sure. Willem Dafoe is on a real roll over the last decade—amazing in everything from popcorn movies like Aquaman to prestige biopics like At Eternity’s Gate—and he’s a Wisconsin native (from Appleton). Go ahead, just watch this clip from The Lighthouse and ponder just how he hasn’t pocketed himself one of those little golden men.

Want to try one of the best parts of Wisconsin for yourself? Pick up some of The Big Cheese’s 13-year-old extra-sharp aged cheddar cheese and taste America’s Dairyland right in your home.