Beecher’s Flagsheep Honored as Top Cheese at ACS

Flagsheep from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Washington and New York was named Best of Show among 1,711 entries at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS) 2012 Judging & Competition. The results were announced in a ceremony at the 29th Annual ACS Conference in Raleigh, N.C. 

Valley Shepherd Creamery in New Jersey was awarded second place overall for Crema De Blue and Emmi Roth USA in Wisconsin took third place overall for its Roth Grand Cru Surchoix. 

Kurt Beecher Dammeier of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese said of Flagsheep’s win, “It takes great milk, talented cheesemakers and a little luck to make a cheese worthy of this great honor. On behalf of the sheep, the cows and our cheesemakers headed by Brad Sinko, I thank all the judges for this recognition.”

The 2012 ACS Judging & Competition was the largest in ACS history, with 254 companies entering 1,711 different products. Entering companies represented 30 states and four Canadian provinces, along with Mexico and Colombia. A total of 354 ribbons were awarded: 95 first place, 121 second place and 138 third place ribbons. For a printable list of this year’s winners and judges’ bios, visit http://www.cheesesociety.org/competition/2012-winners. 

The American Cheese Society is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. With more than 1,500 members, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts and extended industry. Since its founding in 1983, ACS has hosted North America’s foremost annual educational conference and cheese judging and competition.

The 30th Annual ACS Conference & Competition will take place July 31 to Aug. 3, 2013, in Madison, Wis.