If You Enjoy Brie, These 8 Cheeses Are Worth a Try

Brie is a beloved cheese for good reason. It comes in various styles, from mild and creamy to earthy and herbaceous. Despite its richness, Brie is lower in calories than many other cheeses, thanks to its higher water content. It feels indulgent but is approachable for even novice cheese enthusiasts. As for the rind, it's entirely up to you whether to enjoy it or not!

Brie is a cheese you'll happily return to again and again. But when you're ready to switch things up or need a Brie alternative, here are some great options to try, chosen based on what you love most about Brie.

If You Appreciate Brie's Creamy, Luscious Texture...

Brillat-Savarin

Brillat-Savarin is a type of "triple-cream" cheese, which means it contains at least 72% fat by dry matter (compared to a double-cream cheese, which is at least 60%). To put it simply, if you removed all the water from this cheese, it would be 72% pure fat. While this might sound rich—and it certainly isn't a low-calorie choice—it still has a lighter fat content than many hard cheeses due to its high moisture. After tasting this velvety, sophisticated cheese, though, you'll likely forget all about the calorie count.

Casatica di Bufala

Casatica is crafted by Quattro Portoni in Bergamo, Italy, using the rich, creamy milk of water buffalo. While many cheesemakers focus on Mozzarella di Bufala, Bruno Gritti, the owner of Quattro Portoni, has expanded his offerings, including the creamy, sweet, and tangy Casatica. This cheese is like a savory marshmallow—delightfully charming and unforgettable.

St. Stephen

St. Stephen is a triple-cream cheese, named after a kind-hearted local landlord from the colonial period. Produced by Four Fat Fowl in New York's Hudson Valley, it's a rich, buttery, and milky cheese that's perfect when you're craving Brie. In fact, some might say it's even better than the classic Brie itself. But let's keep that between us and not tell the French!

If You Enjoy Brie's Delicate and Subtle Flavor...

Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill

This exquisite double-cream cheese from Sweet Grass Dairy in southern Georgia is a celebrated American Brie-style creation, made from the milk of pasture-fed Jersey cows. Its smooth, creamy texture is complemented by a hint of buttered popcorn, especially when it's on the fresher side, making it a real treat for the taste buds.

Nettle Meadow Kunik

Indulge in the rich, triple-cream delight of Nettle Meadow Kunik, a blend of 75% goat's milk and 25% Jersey cow cream. The animals graze on a diet of hay, grains, wild herbs, raspberry leaves, and more, infusing the cheese with a delicate, buttery herbal flavor. It’s a crowd favorite (even for those who think they don’t like goat cheese), and with the added bonus that the farm runs an animal sanctuary, you can feel great about every bite.

Brabander

If you're looking for a cheese as universally loved as Brie, but with a unique twist, this rich, caramelly goat gouda is the perfect choice. It's creamy, nutty, subtly savory, and offers the same delightful balance and charm you find in your favorite Brie.

If You Appreciate Brie's Earthy Qualities...

Brie Fermier

Brie Fermier is crafted with cultures that replicate the bold, unpasteurized Brie flavors found in France (with "fermier" meaning farmer in French). Its aroma brings hints of garlic, onion, a touch of barnyard, and even roasted broccoli. On the palate, it’s like enjoying a comforting bowl of broccoli cheese soup, but in cheese form. Get ready to be pleasantly surprised.

Jasper Hill Harbison

If you're a fan of cheesemongers on social media, you've probably come across Harbison from Jasper Hill Farm at least once. It’s a beloved favorite in the cheese world, and once you taste it, you'll quickly see why. This cheese is buttery and creamy, with delightful hints of sautéed wild mushrooms, forest floor, and Dijon mustard. Wrapped in spruce bark, it picks up a woodsy flavor and holds its shape even when melting. For the ultimate treat, slice off the top rind and pair it with crispy potato chips at your next gathering. You can thank us later.

Taleggio

Taleggio is a classic Italian "washed-rind" cheese, which means it’s bathed in a brine solution as it ages to develop a distinct, slightly funky aroma. Once fully ripe, it transforms into a velvety mushroom custard, with a smooth, pudding-like texture and a subtle meaty, yeasty flavor—perfect for spreading on a fresh baguette.