Our Story
Welcome to Thistle Dew
Hello! We’re Drew and Beth Rupprecht and we’re so glad you’re “stopping by!”
The farm now known as Thistle Dew Dairy began near Vassar, Michigan when Drew’s great-great-great grandparents emigrated to the area from England in 1865.
Now owned by the 6th generation (with the 7th generation providing helping hands!), we are excited to steward the farm into a delicious new chapter with our Thistle Dew Creamery offerings.
While we currently offer small-batch specialty butters, we’re looking forward to building a modern creamery right on our farm where visitors can taste our delicious, locally made dairy products while watching the cows graze on pasture nearby. Stay tuned to more information on that in the future and, in the meantime, we hope you enjoy our butter!
A Family Legacy
Thistle Dew Creamery is the result of generations of passion. Beth and Drew are the 6th generation to run the dairy, with a focus on creating a foundation for future generations — and the 7th generation is always excited to help both on the farm and in the creamery!
A Local Commitment
Our small batch, artisanal butters are produced right in Frankenmuth, using milk from local dairies and using local ingredients. From our family farm to your fridge, our quality dairy products are a reflection of our commitment to our community and local culture.
A Passion For Quality
We are all about the best, from the quality of breeding and care for our herd of dairy cows, to the ingredients used to flavor our butter. Our happy cows are the starting point for delicious products, and we maintain that high standard every step of the way.
About the dairy
Thistle Dew Dairy raises both Holstein (black and white) and Jersey (reddish brown) dairy cows. They are milked using a robotic milker, which allows the cows to come and go as they please and have a diet that is tailored specifically to their needs.
In addition to producing milk, we also show our cows at events throughout the Midwest. Think of it like a beauty contest for cows!
About our butter
Currently, our artisanal butters are made in small batches in a commercial kitchen right in Frankenmuth. We flavor everything ourselves using local ingredients. From milking the cows to selling the finished product, all the magic happens within just a few square miles.
Eventually, we will open our on-premises creamery facility. When that happens, the butter (as well as many new delicious dairy products) will be produced right on our dairy farm.