Green County 2021 Guide

fun facts + things to do in monroe

Monroe’s cheesy story began back in the day when farmers made their own cheese from the milk of their own dairy herds. Learn more with a tour at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. Your visit includes the Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory – an original one- kettle factory where giant wheels of Swiss were made with the equipment you will see. Local tour guides share local flavor, with many having backgrounds in cheesemaking and agriculture. In the early years, cheese varieties produced in the area were Limburger, Brick, Block Swiss, and Wheel Swiss.

Today’s factories churn out more than 100 different kinds, including those of Hispanic, Greek, Dutch, and Danish origin. Monroe’s Chalet Cheese Cooperative stands as the only Limburger producing factory in the entire United States. Buy it factory direct, or enjoy it in a sandwich at Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern, or Suisse Haus – both in downtown Monroe. Chalet is also well-known for Baby Swiss and Brick cheese, and try their new Pannaro.

gallery exhibits. Visit MAC online for information on upcoming shows and follow on Facebook for the latest news – including announcements about the outdoor concert series. Enjoy “wine with a view” at Hawk’s Mill Winery near Browntown. Their expansive lawn and pavilion offer an overlook of the vineyard and beyond – to Cadiz Springs Rec Area (see page 58). Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the live music that often takes place outside in summer months. Their covered pavilion

Monroe Chamber monroechamber.com 608.325.7648

Main Street Monroe mainstreetmonroe.org 608.328.4023 City ofMonroe — Sinfonieta typeface

provides a large shaded space, and is available to reserve for special events. Hawk’s Mill specializes in sweeter blends and fruit wines – like Peachy Keen and Currantly Single. Follow on Facebook to find out when Ric and Teresa will be getting things fired up to make brick oven pizza outside. “Main Street” offers the best of Monroe – with fun stops where you can sip, savor, and shop. For extra fun in 2021, Main Street Monroe presents “Main-opoly” – with the downtown Square re-imagined as a giant game board. Look for iconic game tokens and fun stuff all summer. You won’t “get out of jail for free” with a visit to the Historic Green County Courthouse, because it’s more common to hear the “guilty” verdict in the former Courtroom. Photo opp: bang the gavel while wearing an authentic judge’s robe. The Courthouse is open weekdays 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Monroe is home to 110 acres of parkland – with parks offering a variety of features including a swimming pool, skater’s ramps, disc golf course, tennis courts, and a specially designed handicap accessible playground. If you’re looking to “embrace the green space” in Green County, put Badger State Trail on your list (see the map on page 22). With parking, restrooms and picnic shelters available, Twining Park is a great place to get started. The Cheese Country Trail offers ATV’ers a chance to explore the countryside (see the map on page 22). Designated routes from the trailhead (near Badger Ethanol on the southwest side) lead to motel lodging, camping at Green County Fairgrounds, and downtown dining and shopping. Stay awhile: motels, VRBO, B&B, campground, and even a unique farm-stay adventure complete with a friendly herd of Brown Swiss cows and an adorable pig named Professor Paisley.

Another cheesy spot is Klondike Cheese Company, where they’ve been crafting fine cheeses at the same location for nearly 100 years. This fourth-generation, family- operated factory is known for Odyssey brand Feta and Greek yogurt. They also produce a line of cheese under the Buholzer Brothers label. Alp and Dell Cheese Store is a showcase for artisan cheese from Monroe’s Emmi Roth cheese factory. Operated by Swiss native Tony Zgraggen, the store stocks a huge assortment of cheese from Emmi and other creameries. You’ll find a collection of “stinky” favorites plus an entire case devoted to 35 different varieties of Cheddar! Alp and Dell stocks local sausages, beer, imported wine, chocolates, and fun souvenirs. This store is your best source for the ideal blend of melting cheese and a fondue pot to go with it. Don’t forget the Kirsch (cherry brandy) for an authentic touch to this Swiss dish. Visit Minhas Craft Brewery’s tasting room and gift shop to stock up on beer and gear. Check out their giant collection of brewery memorabilia. Across the street is Minhas Distillery; taste classic cocktails made from Vodka, Tequila, Rum, and even Moonshine. Go to page 50 to see how a new Gin being made at the distillery is connected with a famous Hollywood producer. The Minhas Family invites you to dine in or carry out from Minhas Kitchen and Winery. Try Brew City Cheese Curds for a taste of Monroe, or Poutine for a nod to the family’s Canadian roots. Another beer experience is Bullquarian Brewhouse, a two- barrel nano brewery in downtown Monroe. Sip and savor in the taproom, or get a growler to go. Bullquarian often features live music. For the best of the area’s music, visual, and performing arts – it’s Monroe Arts Center. Stop in and check out the

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