One of Kingston Creamery's artisan blue cheeses
Cambria, WI. (July 9, 2026) - Kingston Creamery continues its award-winning year, earning four awards at the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition, including First Place for Bountiful Blue. The recognition follows another strong showing at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair, where Kingston Creamery earned four awards, highlighting the creamery's continued commitment to exceptional artisan cheesemaking.
Widely regarded as one of the most respected cheese competitions in North America, the ACS Judging & Competition attracts entries from hundreds of cheesemakers and dairy producers across the United States and Canada. Each cheese is evaluated through a rigorous blind judging process based on technical excellence, flavor, texture, appearance, and overall quality.
Kingston Creamery received the following honors at the 2026 ACS Judging & Competition:
- First Place – Bountiful Blue (Rindless Blue-Veined Cheese, Mixed & Other Milks)
- Third Place – Breezy Blue (Rindless Blue-Veined Cheese, Mixed & Other Milks)
- Second Place – Smoked Blue (Open Category, Smoked Cheeses)
- Second Place – Blue Cheese Salad Blend (Consumer-Ready Convenience Cheese)
In addition to these awards, members of Kingston Creamery's cheesemaking team collaborated with Maple Leaf Cheesemakers on four additional award-winning cheeses recognized at the ACS competition, further demonstrating the expertise and craftsmanship of Kingston's cheesemakers. Earlier this summer, Kingston Creamery also earned four awards at the Wisconsin State Fair, including First Place for Blue Cheese Salad Blend, First Place for Premium Blue, Second Place for Breezy Blue, and Third Place for Gorgonzola.
"We're honored to once again have our cheeses recognized by the American Cheese Society," said Nelson Schrock, General Manager of Kingston Creamery. "Every wheel of cheese we produce reflects the care of our farmers, the craftsmanship of our cheesemakers, and the traditions that have guided our community for generations. It's especially rewarding to see our team recognized both for the cheeses we produce under the Kingston Creamery name and for the collaborative work we contribute across the artisan cheese community. These awards celebrate the dedication of our entire team and reinforce our commitment to producing exceptional cheeses using sustainable, time-honored practices."
Kingston Creamery partners with local Amish dairy farms that continue to follow traditional farming methods, including pasture-grazing livestock and hand-milking into stainless steel milk cans. Those practices, combined with careful aging and artisan cheesemaking, create the rich flavors and distinctive character found in every Kingston cheese.
The annual ACS Judging & Competition celebrates the best in artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses while recognizing the innovation and craftsmanship of North American cheesemakers.
About Kingston Creamery
Kingston Creamery preserves a way of life by maintaining Amish community traditions that have been passed down through generations. Located in Cambria, Wisconsin, the creamery partners with Amish family farms that practice pasture grazing and traditional hand-milking methods to produce exceptional milk. Since 1984, Kingston's award-winning cheesemakers have crafted premium blue cheeses using time-honored techniques and sustainable practices. Kingston Creamery offers a variety of artisan cheeses, including Organic Blue, Premium Blue, Gorgonzola, Smoked Blue, Goat Blue, Bountiful Blue, Breeze Blue, and other specialty blends. Kingston cheeses are available at select retailers across the United States and online.
About American Cheese Society
The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization dedicated to supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. Through education, networking, and its annual Judging & Competition, ACS encourages excellence in cheesemaking while promoting the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.