Every week on College Football Country, we take you around the nation to find out more about one of the things that makes Saturdays so great: tailgating.
With Nebraska visiting Penn State this weekend, we decided to share something that’s been a Happy Valley tradition since 1896. While the barbecue and the main course is always a part of any good tailgate, in the Keystone State, dessert is a big key too. For more than a century, fans and students at Penn State have flocked to the Berkey Creamery before the game because they make some of the nation’s best ice cream. Yes, even in the middle of football season, when it is cold and sometimes snowing, Nittany Lion fans are eating ice cream.
The Creamery is special to the university because of its ties to Penn State. Berkey Creamery exists within the Department of Food Science at the school and is the largest creamery in the United States. Fans have enjoyed the Creamery’s delicious varieties of ice cream for generations and many staple flavors remain favorites including: Vanilla, Bittersweet Mint, Peanut Butter Swirl and Butter Pecan. You can also grab a scoop of Peachy Paterno in honor of the late football coach.
The Creamery sells more than 750,000 hand-dipped cones a year and offers more than 100 flavors. But don’t think about getting multiple flavors—the Creamery won’t allow that. In fact, the only person allowed to mix scoops was President Bill Clinton, while he was in office. President Clinton returned to State College following his second term and was not permitted to mix flavors. Yes, you read that right, you have to be the current President of the United States to mix your Vanilla with your Peanut Butter Swirl at this creamery.
The high in State College on Saturday is only going to hit 39 and snow is in the forecast, so bundle up before you head to Berkey Creamery…then after that, you can go enjoy the game between the Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers.
