Skip to main content

Where to Find Goat, Sheep, and Cow Cheese in South Carolina

Three cheeses, three animals, one South Carolina shop

Goat. Sheep. Cow. is a cheese shop in Charleston that stocks fresh and aged cheeses made from all three animals—goat's milk, sheep's milk, and cow's milk—alongside cured meats, bread, and wine. The shop sits on King Street in the historic district and focuses on small-batch producers, many from the Southeast. You can buy cheese by the wedge, order a board for a picnic or party, or ask the staff to build something specific to your taste and budget.

The shop's name describes its core inventory: it does not try to be everything, but rather does those three categories well. The staff can tell you where each cheese comes from, how it tastes, what it pairs with, and whether it is mild or sharp, soft or hard. If you are new to goat or sheep cheese, they will let you taste before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Goat. Sheep. Cow. is located on King Street in downtown Charleston and specializes in cheeses made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, and cow's milk.
  • You can purchase cheese by the wedge, order pre-made boards, or request a custom board for events and gatherings.
  • The shop carries small-batch and regional producers, with staff who can describe flavor, texture, and pairing suggestions for each cheese.
  • The shop also stocks cured meats, bread, and wine to round out a cheese board or meal.

What to expect when you walk in

The shop is small and built around a central counter where the cheese is displayed. You can see the wedges, wheels, and blocks before you order, and the staff will cut what you want from larger pieces. The space feels more like a neighborhood market than a tourist trap—locals shop here alongside visitors, and the pace is unhurried.

If you are building a board for home, the staff will ask how many people you are feeding, what flavors you like, and what your budget is. They will then suggest a mix—usually a soft cheese, a medium cheese, and a hard cheese, plus a couple of meats and bread. You can take it home and serve it immediately, or ask them to wrap it for travel.

Goat cheese: tangy, spreadable, versatile

Goat cheese has a distinctive tang and a creamy texture when young. At Goat. Sheep. Cow., the goat cheeses range from fresh chèvre (soft, spreadable, mild) to aged varieties that are firmer and more complex. Fresh goat cheese works well on salads, crackers, or crostini. Aged goat cheese can stand on its own as part of a cheese board.

Goat cheese pairs well with honey, fig jam, and fresh fruit. It also works in cooking—crumbled over warm greens, baked in pastry, or stirred into pasta. If you have never tried goat cheese before, ask the staff for a mild, fresh version; the tanginess can surprise people who expect something closer to cow cheese.

Sheep cheese: rich, nutty, often aged

Sheep's milk cheese tends to be richer and more buttery than cow cheese, with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Many sheep cheeses are aged for months or years, which deepens their flavor and makes them crumbly or hard. Pecorino Romano is the most famous sheep cheese, but the shop carries others—some from small producers you may not find elsewhere.

Aged sheep cheese is excellent on a cheese board with nuts and dried fruit. It also grates well over pasta or soup. Younger sheep cheeses are softer and creamier, closer to a mild cow cheese in texture but with more depth. Sheep cheese pairs well with honey, walnuts, and red wine.

Cow cheese: the familiar range

Cow cheese is what most people grew up eating—cheddar, gouda, brie, and countless others. Goat. Sheep. Cow. stocks cow cheeses from small producers rather than mass-market brands, which means you will find more flavor and variety than a grocery store offers. The shop carries both soft cheeses (like brie) and hard cheeses (like aged cheddar and gouda).

Cow cheese is the most versatile on a board because most people know it and like it. It is also the most affordable category, so if you are building a board on a budget, you can load up on cow cheese and add smaller amounts of goat and sheep cheese for variety.

Building a cheese board at home

A balanced board has contrast: soft and hard, mild and sharp, creamy and crumbly. A good starting point is one cheese from each animal—a soft goat cheese, a medium sheep cheese, and a hard cow cheese. Add bread (the shop sells it), cured meat, nuts, and fruit. Serve at room temperature so the cheese flavors come through.

If you are serving the board at a party, plan for about two ounces of cheese per person. A board for four people might have six to eight ounces total—two ounces of each type, or more of the types your guests prefer. The shop can tell you how much to buy based on your guest count and whether the board is the main event or part of a larger meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a cheese board ahead of time?

Yes. Call or visit the shop to place an order, and specify how many people you are feeding, any cheeses or meats you want included, and when you need it. The shop can prepare boards for pickup or delivery depending on the order size and timing.

What is the difference between goat, sheep, and cow cheese?

Goat cheese is tangy and creamy when young. Sheep cheese is rich and nutty, often aged and firm. Cow cheese is the most familiar range—from soft brie to hard cheddar. Each has different flavors and textures, so a board with all three gives you variety in one tasting.

Are the cheeses local?

Many are from the Southeast, but not all are made in South Carolina. The shop focuses on small-batch producers rather than mass-market brands, so you will find cheeses from nearby states and beyond. The staff can tell you where each cheese comes from.

What if I do not like one of the three types?

Tell the staff. They can build a board with just goat and cow, or just sheep and cow, or focus on one type entirely. The shop is flexible and wants you to leave with cheese you will actually eat.

Do you have vegan or dairy-free cheese?

The shop specializes in animal-milk cheese, so dairy-free options are limited or not available. Call ahead to ask what they have in stock, or ask the staff about pairing recommendations if you are serving a mixed group.