Meet Good Churn Creamery
Behind every wheel of cheese or pint of ice cream at Good Churn Creamery is Steve Dougherty, whose path to cheesemaking started with curiosity and a craving for something more. After moving to Kutztown with his wife in 2014, Steve found himself drawn to the growing good food movement. What began as an interest in brewing led to him exploring other forms of fermentation such as sourdough baking and cheesemaking. This sparked the idea of starting a local brewery. But as breweries became increasingly common in the Berks County area, Steve shifted his focus to cheesemaking, a craft he recognized as both unique and deeply rewarding.
Determined to hone his skills, Steve enrolled in a weeklong program at a Vermont creamery affiliated with a local college. The course combined hands-on cheesemaking with lessons in the business of cheese production, giving him the foundation he needed to pursue his vision. By 2018, he had developed his own recipe, producing his first official batch the following year. In 2023, Steve moved the growing operation into a dairy processing facility in Shoemakersville, where it continues to thrive today.
This year, Steve has expanded its offerings to include ice cream, adding to its established lineup of cheeses and yogurt. The new ice cream program features a core portfolio of about a dozen classic flavors such as mint chocolate chip and peanut butter, with rotating seasonal varieties introduced every few months. Many of these flavors highlight ingredients sourced directly from local farms, including organic strawberries and orchard-fresh peaches. On the cheese side, production remains rooted in long-aged, seasonal recipes, meaning marketgoers may go months without seeing staples like gouda while it matures. The selection ranges from gouda and black-truffle goat cheese to alpine and occasional Asiago-style varieties, each crafted with the same attention to quality and tradition.
This upcoming fall, Steve plans to begin working with a small distributor to better serve the Philadelphia and New York regions, expanding its reach beyond local markets. With this step, production is expected to increase to meet growing demand. Steve also is optimistic about Good Churn Creamery’s continued growth among its existing cheese and ice cream customers, anticipating that its success will continue.
Supporting Small Farms
For Steve, sourcing from small, local farms is about more than just freshness. It is about supporting the agricultural heritage that has defined the region. Good Churn Creamery focuses on “organic methods, sustainable and pasture-based” ingredients for its products. The small farms that Steve works with give their animals plenty of time outside and the best treatment possible, allowing for quality milk, while fruits used in the ice cream are carefully selected from local farms. That commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious agriculture is reflected in the quality of Good Churn Creamery’s products.
“I’m proud to be in the space where I can be a service to farms,” said Steve.
Where Can You Find Good Churn Creamery Products?
Good Churn Creamery does not currently have a storefront location, but anyone interested in making purchases can reach out via its Instagram to set up a time to visit the facility. Instagram is also the best place to check out any seasonal products, holiday boxes or any special events.
Good Churn Creamery products can be found at the West Reading Farmers Market on the first and third Sunday of each month, as well as at larger regional markets such as the Easton Farmers Market. Locally, its offerings also are carried at both Local Leaf grocery stores, and its ice cream is available at the Wanamaker General Store.
Whether you are looking for a seasonal cheese or a delicious ice cream, Good Churn Creamery has something for everyone. Check out the Good Churn Creamery website to learn more!
