Ice Cream and Disc Golf

We decided to give Ben & Jerry’s one more try.  We arrived for the 9:30 tour and were happy to see the parking lot almost empty and no tour buses in sight.

We had read the comments on Trip Advisor so knew what to expect from the tour.  I knew that cameras would not be allowed once we got to the production area observation windows.

We bought tickets - $4 Adult, $3 Senior. 

There were about 25 people on our tour.  Our very polite, young, guide took us to the video room where we watched a 6-minute video.  The first part of the video explained how the company was founded, grew, and was sold to a conglomerate.  The second part of the video was Ben and Jerry giving their thoughts on what is wrong with the world, political views, and asking for donations for their charity.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your views, the video developed problems at the beginning of their talk and we only had sound, no picture.  I pretty much quit listening while sitting in the dark.

After the video we were led up 25 steps to the mezzanine where we were not allowed to take pictures.  Here we can see the production line at work.  They were in full operation on our tour.  There were very few employees on the floor, machines do almost all the work. 

Only one flavor is made at a time.  This day they were making The Tonight Dough.  Our guide explained all the different steps while a tv screen in the back of the room showed a movie of the different steps.  The movie was interesting because it was hard for us to see anything on the floor looking straight down and the movie was taken from down on the floor.

The next step was the tasting room.  Our guide told us we would be tasting one flavor and it was Broccoli Cheddar Chunk.

It sounded disgusting and after a while we were told that they were out of Broccoli Cheddar Chunk and we would be given Milk and Cookies instead.

It was very good.

Apparently, Broccoli Cheddar Chunk is a real flavor that is served on April Fools Day.  That is probably not a good day to take the tour!

After our free sample we walked down the hall of fame to the gift shop.

#1 seller

The Hall of Fame - Most popular flavors.

By the time we finished our tour and arrived at the gift shop the tour buses had started arriving and the line to buy tickets was out the door.

There were a few things to see such as this vintage ice cream scoop collection.

This wall of ice cream flavors didn’t have any information with it.  Since neither of us have eaten very much Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, we thought these just might be the current flavors available.

There is also a “graveyard” up the hill but since it was raining we didn’t bother walking to it.

Magnet worthy?  I’m glad we went.  I don’t know if I would recommend going out of your way to see it and I wouldn’t go again.  But, I did buy a magnet.

The day before was rainy and cold.  Today we were supposed to have a nice, sunny day.  “They” were wrong!   

Mark wanted to play the Brewster Ridge Disc Golf Course at the Smuggler’s Notch Disc Golf Center.  So, we got back on the road.  It was a beautiful drive.

Mark paid his $10 fee in the pro shop and we headed out to one of the courses.

Even with a little rain off and on and a little wind we had a pleasant time.

The sun came out for a little while on the drive home.

Fall colors in Vermont.

Stay tuned - more fun ahead.