The Beemster Story
Premium Gourmet Dutch Cheese
After generations of making cheese it is a pleasure to be able to share with you and your family the traditions of Holland’s most delicious and versatile cheese: Beemster.
Beemster’s long history as Holland’s most renowned cheesemaker has earned the honor of being a supplier to the Royal Court of the Netherlands; the highest honor to be bestowed upon a cheese company in Holland.
From 20 feet below sea level
Beemster cheeses come from the quiet, canal lined pastures of North 
Holland. This remarkable landscape, located 20ft below sea level, was reclaimed from the sea in the year 1612. Using a master plan, extensive manual labor, dykes and 55 windmills this area now known as the ‘Beemster’ polder, was reclaimed from the sea and converted into lush pastures. The special blue sea clay of the Beemster polder, with its mineral rich composition, makes the grasses a special quality. This factor is also referred to as ‘terroir’. It allows for the cows to give an unique milk. This milk, from Beemster, is sweeter and softer which gives the cheeses an unmistakable taste and creaminess which has led to a renowned reputation.
In 1901 the farmers in the polder decided to take the earnings from their
milk and cheese and collectively build a dairy.
Artisanal cheese making
The Beemster recipe, to this day, remains the foundation for crafting every
wheel of Beemster at the dairy. As the wheels of Beemster are set aside for aging, no cost or effort is spared. Maturation happens in traditional warehouses where cheeses are laid out on wooden boards. Temperature and humidity control are very important as to make ripening conditions optimal. Each wheel is continually turned and polished with love and care. This process takes a lot of time and energy but, it ensures a perfect texture and wonderful flavor in every wheel of Beemster cheese.
Caring Dairy, our sustainability program
Beemster feels responsible for its farmers, its cows and the environment. 
Caring Dairy helps the Beemster dairy farmers with guidelines and advice by making their farms and the dairy more sustainable.
Caring Dairy is an initiative of ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's and the Beemster coop, which is the exclusive provider of milk for Ben & Jerry’s European ice cream production.
An important aspect of Caring Dairy starts in the pasture. The cows, which provide the milk Beemster cheeses are made from, graze freely in the pastures from spring through fall. These free ranging cows have enhanced milk quality, as nature provides the most fresh grasses.