A great cheese deserves a great companion. Whether you’re building the ultimate charcuterie board, hosting a casual get-together, or simply unwinding after a long day, the right sip alongside the right wedge can turn a simple snack into something unforgettable. Shaft’s Cheese & Co. has been crafting bold, artisanal blues and beyond for over 25 years — and we think it’s time to talk about what’s in your glass. Here are our favorite pairings, why they work, and a few extras to explore.
Shaft’s 1-Year Blue
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Blue Moon Belgian Ale
A savory, full-flavored blue aged a full year — rich and creamy with bold character, but never overpowering.
Why It Works
Blue Moon’s signature wheat-forward body, with its hints of orange peel and coriander, brings out the creamy, tangy richness in Shaft’s 1-Year Blue without overwhelming it. The beer’s light sweetness softens the sharpness of the blue veining, while the subtle citrus notes cut through the fat and refresh the palate between bites. It’s a classic contrast: bold meets breezy.
The unfiltered cloudiness of Blue Moon also means it carries enough body to stand up to the cheese without feeling too light — a lager would get lost, but this wheat ale holds its own beautifully.
Also Try With:
- Allagash White (Belgian Witbier)
- Hoegaarden Original White Ale
- A dry, slightly floral Saison
- Fresh lemonade or citrus sparkling water (non-alcoholic)
Serendipity
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Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout
Shaft’s 1-Year Blue stacked with 1-Year Aged Sharp Cheddar — two boldly aged cheeses in delicious harmony.
Why It Works
Serendipity is already a mashup, so it deserves a drink that’s equally layered. A dark chocolate peanut butter stout brings roasty, nutty, bittersweet depth that mirrors the sharp cheddar’s nuttiness while the chocolatey notes complement the earthy tang of the blue. The full body of the stout matches the density of this blended cheese without being overwhelmed.
Think of it like a deconstructed cheese plate: the peanut butter notes echo the cheddar, the dark chocolate echoes the umami funk of the blue, and the roasted malts tie it all together. This is a pairing designed to make you slow down and actually taste.
Also Try With:
- Founders Breakfast Stout
- Milk Stout or Sweet Stout
- A rich brown ale or porter
- Cold brew coffee or a dark hot chocolate (non-alcoholic)
Ellie’s 2 Year
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Cosmic Crisp Apple Cider
All it takes is the best blue from Wisconsin and a full 24 months of aging in California. Perfectly balanced, creamy, and sweet with a signature blue tang.
Why It Works
This is the pairing that surprises people every time. The extended aging on Ellie’s 2-Year Blue develops a natural sweetness and complex, nutty depth that blue cheese novices rarely expect. Two Towns’ Cosmic Crisp Cider, made from the same-named varietal apple, delivers a bright, clean sweetness with juicy apple crunch and just enough acidity to balance the richness of the cheese.
Apple and blue cheese is a time-honored combination — think of it as a classic Waldorf reimagined as a sip and a bite. The crisp, refreshing nature of the cider cleanses the palate and highlights the creamy, mellow finish that comes from those extra months of aging. This pairing is elegant, crowd-pleasing, and genuinely fun.
Also Try With:
- Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
- Stem Ciders Honeycrisp
- A dry Riesling or late-harvest white wine
- Sparkling apple juice with a squeeze of lemon (non-alcoholic)
TooGood Blue
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Lemon Hard Seltzer
Shaft’s 1-Year Blue infused with port wine — the bold, savory character of the signature blue deepened with the rich, fruity sweetness of port.
Why It Works
TooGood Blue already carries its own built-in pairing inside it — port wine is woven right into the cheese. So when you reach for a Lemon White Claw alongside it, you’re creating a beautiful three-way conversation: the savory blue funk, the deep fruity sweetness of the port, and the bright citrus effervescence of the seltzer. The lemon cuts through the richness and lifts the fruit notes already present in the cheese, making the port infusion sing.
The lightness of the White Claw also prevents the pairing from becoming too heavy — port-infused cheese is indulgent, and a crisp, bubbly seltzer keeps things lively and refreshing. It’s an unexpectedly elegant combination dressed in casual clothes.
Also Try With:
- A glass of actual Tawny or Ruby Port (lean into it!)
- Black cherry or raspberry hard seltzer
- A dry sparkling rosé or Lambrusco
- Cranberry sparkling water with a splash of orange (non-alcoholic)
A Few Pairing Principles
01.
Match Intensity
Bold, aged cheeses like Shaft’s 1-Year and Ellie’s 2-Year need a drink with enough backbone to stand alongside them — don’t reach for something too light.
02.
Cut with Contrast
Sweet, acidic, or carbonated beverages contrast beautifully with rich, fatty cheeses. The contrast refreshes your palate and makes each bite as good as the first.
03.
Trust Your Palate
Rules are a starting point, not a finish line. Bring what you love, try the pairing, and adjust. The best pairing is the one that makes you smile.
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