Taste Local Cheese for the Holidays (and a Good Cause)

​For obvious, if college-humor, reasons, our favorite of the twelve days of Christmas has always been the eight maids a-milking. Egg nog and Santa's glass of milk always have a place in the holiday celebrations, but why can't we include dairy in its more awesome and solid forms?

The California Artisan Cheese Guild's "Great Cheese & Good Cheer" event in Oakland aims to do just that. This Sunday in Oakland, you can sample artisanal cheeses, sip local wines and beers, and eat bites provided by Market Hall Food. Participating cheesemakers include familiar names (Cowgirl Creamery, Cypress Grove Chevre, Redwood Hill Farm) and less well known (Shamrock Artisan Goat Cheese, the brand-new Nicasio Valley Cheese).

A ticket to the tasting benefits the guild, which describes itself as "a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging the California cheesemaking community."

Great Cheese & Good Cheer
When: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Grace Street Catering Building, 4629 MLK Jr. Way, Oakland
Cost: $40 via the California Artisan Cheese Guild's website