Greetings from Montana

[Leanu]

Hey all,

I am an amatuer cheesemaker living with my family in Montana.  I have always loved cheese, and have now fallen down the rabbit hole of trying to learn how to make it!  I have been making cheese for about 3 years now, and have definitely had my share of screw-ups (guess that means I'm learning).  My goal is to make a stellar alpine sheeps milk cheese from local herds.

I also play music, make wine, beer, and pipes, and try to do everything the "old fashioned way".

Anyways, glad I found this site!

Leanu

[Frotte La Tomme]

hey leanu.  I just found this site, the other day.  It is great to read recipes and hints, but the only way you get it down is by practicing.
What kinda of alpine cheese are you looking for?  A tomme perhaps?  Or you could always go for a blended sheep/cow cheese.  Dont forget the diet of the sheep when choosing your cheese type.
Do you grow your own hops for beer making?

[Cheese Head]

Hi Leanu, welcome, looking forward to your input (& pictures), I've also taken up making beer again albeit just using Mr Beer kits. I like the rabbit hole analogy, I use that in some of the courses I teach to our younger staff, more as in they are often going down the wrong rabbit hole .

[Leanu]

Frotte - I am definitely going for a tomme-like cheese.  Sheep milk cheese is my goal, but I will do cow milk until I am able to locate a good producer.  I haven't grown my own hops yet, but once we move back to my wife's home town we will certainly be doing so!

John - Thanks for the welcome.  I will post some pictures as soon as I have some that are worthy!  I actually use mostly the same equipment for beer as I do wine, with 6 gal carboys.