Cypress Grove's Humboldt Fog secured Gold in the American Original – Made from Goat's Milk category at the 2026 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, then advanced to claim a spot among the Top 10 Cheeses in the ACS Best of Show — a field of more than 1,600 entries evaluated across 123 categories. The finish cements Humboldt Fog's standing as one of the most decorated American originals in the specialty cheese segment.
Scale of the Competition
With more than 1,600 entries across 123 categories, this year's ACS competition represents one of the most expansive judging pools in the event's history. Breaking into the Top 10 from that field is a distinction that carries real weight on restaurant menus and retail cheese programs alike — a third-party credential that buyers and cheese directors routinely cite when making sourcing decisions. For foodservice operators building artisan cheese boards, recognized provenance and competition pedigree increasingly drive both menu storytelling and guest confidence.
Three Competitions, One Year
The ACS recognition is one of three major accolades Cypress Grove collected in 2026. The California-based creamery also earned honors at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards and the World Championship Cheese Contest® — two globally respected competitions that draw entries from producers across multiple continents. Stacking wins at domestic and international events in the same calendar year is uncommon and underscores consistent quality across production runs rather than a single standout batch.
For specialty beverage and food buyers tracking premium dairy trends, Cypress Grove's sweep signals continued strength in the American artisan goat cheese category, which has grown steadily as chefs and retailers seek differentiated, story-driven products. Humboldt Fog — recognizable by its distinctive layer of edible ash and soft, citrusy paste — has long served as a gateway cheese for operators introducing guests to American-made fresh-aged styles. Award validation at this scale gives procurement teams and cheese program directors additional justification for premium placement and price-point support.
Cypress Grove is part of the broader Food & Beverage Magazine editorial universe of tracked specialty producers. The Arcata, California creamery has built its reputation on goat milk varieties, with Humboldt Fog remaining its flagship SKU across both foodservice and retail channels.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
