I Scream, You Scream
Will President Obama scream for Pennsylvania ice cream? Penn State University’s Berkey Creamery hopes so. I 
have intentionally stayed away from steering readers toward specific Inaugural events, Balls, and memorabilia, but I couldn’t resist a pitch coming from a childhood friend about something so fun and delicious as commemorative Inaugural ice cream. And, with names like BaRocky Road, Obama White House, and BidenBerry, I doubt many others, our President-elect included, will be able to resist these tempting treats.
During a primary campaign stop last March at the campus Dairy Research Center, the then Presidential hopeful took the time to bottle-feed a calf. [Just let me say, "awwww."] The powers that be took note, and now, to honor President Obama and his administration in their own special way, the University’s College of Agricultural Sciences created three ice cream flavors to be served at the Pennsylvania Inaugural Gala Tuesday evening. Guests will have the opportunity to sample:
- BaRocky Road, a rocky road or tin roof sundae flavor of vanilla ice cream with chunky add-ins, such as brownies, candy, chocolate swirl, and peanuts
- Obama White House, a vanilla ice cream with maraschino cherries
- BidenBerry, a vanilla ice cream with red raspberry variegate throughout
The Berkey Creamery, named for the owners of a dairy business in my own hometown of Somerset, Pennsylavnia, has a world-wide reputation for crafting top-notch ice cream. Additionally, it’s the largest on-campus creamery in the country and has become known for its unique flavors marking special events – like Peachy Paterno in honor of Penn State’s legendary football coach. Hmmmm, I wonder if they will do something with dark chocolate and butterscotch (black & gold) should the Steelers go to the Super Bowl…
The Pennsylvania Society of Washington, DC’s Inaugural Gala, “A Night of Stars,” will be held at the Ritz Carlton on Tuesday evening, beginning at 7:00pm.
To see more about this cool bit of commemorative cuisine, check out a taste test on Anderson Cooper 360 tonight, as well as a feature this Sunday on Good Morning America.
Photo credits: Steve Williams
Barbara, thank you for the very generous, first-rate shout-out; we here at Penn State are very grateful!
Tarun, it sounds like you’re familiar with the quality of the Berkey Creamery’s ice cream! (They did train Ben and Jerry, after all….) The best part about these flavors are the amped-up levels of goodies inside. Because of the exclusive production run of these ice creams (so far), there aren’t any flavors left to sample. However, the photographer got to get a spoonful or two of BaRocky Road, and he said BaRocky Road tasted *fantastic.* I am very jealous.
- Jill
Few things in life are as soothing as some premium ice cream. And the great thing about the Berkey Cremery is the high butterfat content in the ice cream. Good lowfat ice cream is an oxymoron.