Brabander Reserve Goat Gouda

Everyday Brabander is one of our favorite fudgy Gouda cheeses. Brabander Reserve (formerly known as Black Betty) is Brabander, but dressed up for the holiday season. Affineur Betty Koster selects a handful of Brabander wheels, normally aged 6-9 months, and holds onto them for an additional 6 months. To distinguish them from the other wheels, she also wraps them in a black wax coating. More aging time = a drier, firmer Gouda with deeper, fuller flavors, rich with the perfect smack of pineapple and brown butter notes.

Quick Facts

Country of Origin: Holland
Milk Type/Treatment: Pasteurized Goat
Rennet Type: Traditional

The Flavor Experience

Caramel apple crunch meets a dense, crystalline texture.

The Story

Goat milk is not typically used for producing aged cheeses, or Goudas of any age. But when the affineur is the preeminent Gouda maturer in the world, anything is possible. Betty lets Brabander rest at temperatures higher than normal, which elicits savory notes and a slight gaminess that are not commonly found in Gouda. The extra aging on the Black Betty wheels lend a crunchier, more butterscotchy flavor to the cheese, which sings with a perfect caramel crunch.

Usage Tips

Pair with a fruity red wine, such as a Cru Beaujolais, or a dark, malty beer with bite, such as Doppelbock.