Madison, Wisconsin — A rich, nutty Dutch Gouda has been named the best cheese on the planet. Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, produced by CONO Kaasmakers in Westbeemster, Netherlands, took top honors at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest with a near-perfect score of 98.68 out of 100.
The biennial competition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association since 1957, is one of the world’s largest and most respected technical evaluations of cheese and dairy products. This year’s event, held March 3–5 in Madison, drew 3,375 entries from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states and territories, judged across 148 classes by 56 international experts.
Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, a 12-month-aged North Holland Gouda (also known as Beemster Royaal Grand Cru), edged out stiff competition to claim the title. Made from milk of pasture-grazed cows in the UNESCO-protected Beemster Polder — a region known for its mineral-rich marine clay soil — the cheese is naturally aged on wooden planks. This process develops tyrosine crystals, giving it a pleasant crunch alongside its firm yet smooth texture.
Judges described the flavor as robust and regal: intensely nutty with sweet notes of butterscotch and toasted almonds. The cheese was originally created to celebrate CONO Kaasmakers’ status as a Purveyor to the Royal Court of the Netherlands (Hofleverancier), reflecting over 125 years of farmer-owned cooperative tradition.
Runners-Up Highlight Close Competition
The top three cheeses were separated by mere fractions of a point:
- 1st Runner-Up: Appenzeller Purple Label (aged Appenzeller by Lucas Meier and Käserei Kirchberg, Appenzell, Switzerland) — 98.45 points.
- 2nd Runner-Up: Alter Fritz (aged, washed-rind hard cheese by Hardegger Käse AG, Jonschwil, Switzerland) — 98.41 points.
While the Netherlands claimed the overall world champion title, the United States dominated the category golds with 96 Best of Class wins. Wisconsin led the nation with 45 first-place finishes, underscoring the strength of American cheesemaking.
A Proud Moment for Dutch Cheesemakers
CONO Kaasmakers, a cooperative of dairy farmers, expressed immense pride in the victory. Master Cheesemaker Sjoerd Hiemstra noted that the award validates the daily commitment to quality and tradition in the Beemster region. The cooperative also saw success with other entries, including gold medals for varieties like Beemster Smoked Gouda and Beemster Jalapeño.
Beemster Royaal Grand Cru has earned previous accolades, such as Super Gold at the 2025 World Cheese Awards, but this marks its highest global recognition to date.
How to Enjoy the World Champion
This full-bodied cheese shines on its own or paired with cured meats like fennel salami or ham, fresh or dried fruits (apples, grapes, cranberries), walnuts, and jams. For drinks, try it with full-bodied reds such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, crisp whites like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, or even craft beers like IPAs and Pilsners. It also makes an exceptional grilled cheese sandwich.
The cheese is widely available in U.S. supermarkets, specialty shops, and through importers like Atalanta Corp. For complete contest results, visit the official site at worldchampioncheese.org.
This victory highlights how exceptional milk quality, artisanal craftsmanship, and precise aging can produce a cheese that stands above thousands of world-class competitors — proving once again that the finest flavors often come from time-honored traditions.
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