Backcountry Creamery

Tacoma's Best:

Backcountry Creamery

I love it when local people get inspired and start living their passion through small business adventures. It's especially fun when the business owner understands how art, design and marketing enhance the branding of your business. In the words of my friend Janel below, you will learn more about Backcountry Creamery's story and their cheese. If you look closer, you will see owner Deanna Dargan's creative strategy woven throughout her new business through the work of various local artists and designers who have played key roles in the business launch. That is what I love. 

Article Contributed by my good friend, Janel Broderson McFeat:

Words like full fat, semi soft, spice rubbed, natural rind, sharp and wholesome describe these wonderful artisan cheeses produced locally, right here in Tacoma. 

The owners of Backcountry Creamery, Deanna and Tom Dargan, began their home-based business in June, 2011. It has now blossomed into a booming local artisan cheese company. Deanna and Tom currently sell their cheese at Tacoma Boys, Stink Cheese, Tacoma Food Co-op, Proctor Farmers Market, and other local restaurants.

Backcountry Creamery cheeses bring us an all-natural taste unlike other brands you can pick up at your local grocery store.  For their packaging, Backcountry Creamery hired a local artist and graphic designer to beatify their cheeses. The beautiful water color artistry really tells the story of this dairy staple. The warm, country look and feel brings you home to the farm as you enjoy this fresh, high quality cheese. I love anything with well designed packaging.

Andrea Anderson, who specializes in pen and ink, ventured into water color painting for this project. After the paintings were created, Holly Weinmann, a local graphic designer, made it all come together. These cheeses are not only a must eat but a must see! You can't miss the label!

Back to business - it's all about flavor with this cheese. Backcountry Creamery has five creatively named cheeses; Trailblazer, Summit House, Camp Chego, Day Hike Havarti, and Camper’s Colby. 

Deanna’s top pick for the holiday season is the Summit House, a full fat, sharp Italian style cheese with a hint of guyere, paired with a red wine.

 Come pick up your very own block of this purely exquisite cheese for your New Year’s Eve party.

Below is a tip from our sweet friend, Deanna Dargan:

  

Looking for a holiday hostess gift? Visit Tacoma Boys Markets for a wedge of Trailblazer and a bottle of french Vigiogner or dry Reisling. 

For you red wine lovers, shave off a little Summit House and serve with briny olives and toasted crostini.