Hill Valley Dairy, a family-run cheese company from East Troy, Wisconsin, is bringing its farm-to-table experience to Milwaukee with their newest cheese bar. Located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, the cheese bar offers a unique space for people to gather, learn, and also enjoy high-quality, locally made cheeses.
Founder and cheesemaker Ron Henningfield grew up on a dairy farm and always felt a deep connection to farming. “I loved working with my family on the farm – with the animals, crops, and machinery,” Henningfield said. “Cheese making became a way to stay connected to that farming heritage while growing a new business.”
The idea for a cheese bar took shape when a neighboring storefront opened next to Hill Valley Dairy’s Lake Geneva location. The family envisioned a welcoming space where customers could gather around cheese, much like they would at a bar. “We wanted a place where people could enjoy cheese with friends or family, or even just on their own,” Henningfield explained. “The cheese bar lets them connect with their food, learn something new, and savor the experience.”
The new Milwaukee location holds special significance for Henningfield. In 2012, he worked as a cheesemaker at Clock Shadow Creamery, which operated from the same site. When Clock Shadow Creamery moved out in late 2023, Hill Valley Dairy seized the opportunity to step in. “I never really left the space,” Henningfield said. “I started Hill Valley Dairy in 2015 by making cheese here on weekends when the creamery wasn’t in use. Now, we’re thrilled to make it our own.”
Visitors to the Milwaukee cheese bar can see the cheese-making process through large viewing windows that connect the shop to the factory. “We make cheese using milk from one farm – our family farm,” Henningfield said. “That lets us produce exceptional cheddar, gouda, alpine-style cheeses, and our signature natural-rind varieties, Luna and Alina.”
The cheese bar also showcases products from other Wisconsin cheesemakers. “We love sharing the incredible work of our friends in the industry,” Henningfield said. “You’ll find great goat, sheep, and blue cheeses made right here in Wisconsin.”
Pairing cheese with drinks adds another layer to the experience. Hill Valley Dairy has partnered with Milwaukee craft cocktail experts to create a seasonal drink menu designed to complement the cheese. “The focus always comes back to the cheese,” Henningfield said. “Our Wisconsin Old Fashioned is a customer favorite, but the Babcock Boulevard, a bold, bourbon-based cocktail, also stands out.”
The dairy currently produces around 1,200 pounds of cheese each week, with plans to increase production in 2025. To meet growing demand, they will expand distribution and introduce more customers to their farm-fresh cheese.
“We love cheese, but more than that, we love sharing it with people,” Henningfield said. “Whether you’re new to cheese or a lifelong fan, the cheese bar is a place to gather, learn, and enjoy.”
