Watch 3 Local Culinary Powerhouses Collaborate on a Holiday Cheese

The holidays are a time to seek out special things — a reminder that even in the dark days of winter, there are laughter and light and joy to be shared. As Thanksgiving and then the December holidays roll around, we love to watch how  local companies introduce limited-edition items to tempt and delight our palates. It’s like a little edible Advent calendar, helping us count down the days toward the holidays and stoke our excitement.

One such item to look extra-forward to this year is a collaboration cheese: Holly, a joint project between Di Bruno Bros., Tröegs Brewing Company and The Farm at Doe Run. Earlier this fall, folks from Di Bruno and Tröegs met up at The Farm at Doe Run in Chester County to set the production in motion for Holly, a luscious, buttery Brebirousse-style cow’s milk cheese. Wheels of the cheese were washed by hand with Mad Elf, Tröegs holiday ale which has a cult following. This washing helped the cheese to develop a ripe, pinkish rind as it aged, and also imparted light notes of cherries and honey.

Troegs Holly cheese

Doesn’t this all-local-everything cheese sound like the perfect guest to invite to your holiday soirees this year?! To build the best cheese plate with epic beer samplings, check out the helpful pairing suggestions from Di Bruno and Tröegs here.

You can find Holly at select Di Bruno shops in Philadelphia and on the cheese plate at Tröegs tasting room in Hershey. You can also taste this cheesy goodness at a tasting night at at The Whip Tavern in Coatesville on Thursday, November 29.

Find Di Bruno Bros. at various locations throughout the Philadelphia area; phone: (888) 322-4337.

Find Tröegs Brewing Company at 200 E. Hershey Park Dr., Hershey; phone: (717) 534-1297.

  • Video and photos: Tröegs Independent Brewing