World Championship Cheese Contest 2018: 1st Place - Brick is a Wisconsin original, first made by John Jossi around 1877. Brick was named for its shape and because cheesemakers originally used bricks to press the moisture from the cheese. Wisconsin leads the nation in the production of brick and surface-ripened brick. Brick has an earthy flavor that has just a touch of nuttiness when young but turns pungent and tangy when aged. Use this cheese in Serious Eats' Detroit-Style Pan Pizza Recipe!