Burley Oak serving up craft beer-based ice cream, creamy brews
Meg Ryan
For the adults on Delmarva, ice cream just got a bit more indulgent.
Burley Oak Brewing Co. in Berlin will roll out beer-based ice cream at its cafe daily beginning Memorial Day weekend. Until then, customers can satisfy their sweet tooth once a month at the brewery's taproom when the soft serve is available.
The brewery got the soft serve machine from a friend and were wondering what they could put into it to make ice cream. After some brainstorming, the ice cream's base is one of Burley Oak's newest creations: JREAM.
The JREAM is a line of sour beers made with organic fruits and milk sugar.
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“The milk sugar gives it a creaminess and a little bit of a sourness so basically balance out the sweetness," said Bryan Brushmiller, owner.
Once a month, the brewery will premiere new flavors which customers can try that day along with the soft serve. The flavors will be on draft all month until new flavors premiere.
Currently on draft, customers can try the blueberry cobbler flavor or mango lassi.
The blueberry cobbler JREAM is part of the brewery's cobbler line, Brushmiller said. With notes of blackberries, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar, the drink brings customers back to their grandma's kitchen table and homemade pie.
“We’re evoking the tastes from childhood,” he said.
The mango lassi JREAM is inspired by a traditional Indian drink. One Burley Oak brewer got the idea for the beer after travelling to India, Brushmiller said. The mango lassi JREAM includes notes of cardamom, saffron, vanilla bean.
"(It) makes this JREAM really different," he said.
But, the chance to try blueberry cobbler and mango lassi are running out as Brushmiller said two new JREAM flavors are coming out on May 26.
On May 26, the brewery will unveil its piña colada and açaí JREAM flavors. Customers will also be able to taste the soft serve version of both beer flavors that day.
The inspiration behind the JREAM beers and alcoholic soft serve is just another step in Burley Oak's experimentation with taste. Brushmiller said the brewery's goal isn't always to focus on traditional beer, but to offer a sensory experience to its customers.
With the brewery's taproom and cafe in downtown Berlin, Brushmiller feels they're achieving that. As the cafe is more food oriented, soft serve being available full-time there was a no brainer. The next step is to see JREAM be available in the cafe as well.
“We’re trying to figure out how to create different tastes," Brushmiller said.
But the Burley Oak owner reminds customers coming into the brewery's taproom that it's a 21 and over setting as the JREAM and soft serve will get you buzzed just like any of the other beer offerings on draft.
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If you go:
What: Burley Oak Brewing Company
Where: 10016 Old Ocean City Blvd. in Berlin
When: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact: 443-513-4647, Burleyoak.com
On Twitter: @The_MegRyan