Specialty Foods Department

The British Isles have long been home to many of the world’s most famous and beloved cheeses. But some new artisanal cheeses are gaining a following. This month’s selection includes Irish and English cheeses that are some of the easiest and most satisfying to match with beer. Two of them even have beer in them.

Cahill’s Irish Porter Cheese, $16.99 per lb.

Cahill’s is a blending of Guinness stout with Irish farmhouse cheddar from County Limerick. Striking to behold, with a brown and gold marbled interior, Cahill’s boasts flavors that are sweet and creamy with hints of mocha and chocolate.

Dubliner, $13.99 per lb.

One might assume that this cheese originated in the Irish capital. It actually comes from Cork. This little anomaly is forgotten as soon as one bites into a delicious slice. Dubliner’s one-year maturation period imparts a sweet fruitiness and cheddar-like sharpness to it as well as the occasional crunch of calcium lactate crystals.

Tipperary Irish Cheddar, $11.99 per lb.

County Tipperary is renowned for the quality of its dairy, thanks to its verdant pastures and mild climate. The richness of the grasses explains the high beta-carotene content in the milk that gives Tipperary Cheddar its yellow hue. This has a wonderfully sharp and creamy flavor tempered by a pleasant bitterness.

Cashel Blue, $16.99 per lb.

Also from County Tipperary, Cashel Blue gets its name from the Rock of Cashel, a craggy historic site overlooking the fields near the family farm where the cheese is hand-made. It has the distinction of being Ireland’s first blue cheese, making its debut in 1984. Soft and spreadable, this blue is sharper and bolder than the Shropshire blue featured below.

Caramelized Onion English Cheddar, $15.99 per lb.

Caramelized onions add a sweetness that complements the salty tang of this creamy cheddar, making this cheese, also known as Abbot’s Gold, very addictive. Delicious to snack on or to enjoy on hot dogs, burgers, etc.

Red Dragon, $17.99 per lb.

Named after the red dragon on the flag of Wales, this Welsh Cheddar is combined with wholegrain mustard seeds and Welsh ale and coated with a vibrant red wax. The mustard seeds add crunch and bold flavor to this cheese, and the tang of ale is noticeable in the finish.

Tintern with Shallots and Chives, $17.99 per lb.

Tintern takes its name from the famous Abbey in Wales. A blend of Welsh matured Cheddar with fresh chives and shallots, Tintern also pays homage to the shallots that were farmed on the abbey grounds. This cheese has a smooth, creamy texture with a piquant edge that makes it perfect to melt over a baked potato.

Shropshire Blue, $19.99 per lb.

Despite its name, orange is the predominant color of Shropshire Blue. Due to the addition of annatto, a natural food coloring, this cheese is a vivid orange with blue veins running through it. Often described as an orange Stilton, Shropshire Blue is somewhat creamier and more assertive in flavor than Stilton.

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