“Ice cream is the perfect buffer, because you can do things in a somewhat lighthearted way. Plus, people have an emotional response to ice cream; it’s more than just food. So I think when you combine caring, and eating wonderful food, it’s a very powerful combination.” Jerry Greenwood
Ben and Jerry’s
Like I do with most places we visit, I read a few reviews of Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour on Trip Advisor. I came across this review and enjoyed a good giggle. I mean, how political can a video about ice cream be?
“The history video was interesting but was political.”
As it turns out, the video is not at all political, but rather it’s the story of a company that not only makes outrageous ice cream, it’s about a company that has been environmentally conscious since day one. Maybe, that equates to political for some. For us, it equates to eating ice cream manufactured by a company that cares about the big picture. Does it get any better? I don’t think so, but maybe I should ask Ben and Jerry.
Factory Tour
Truthfully, there isn’t a whole lot to see on the factory tour, but for $4 per ticket ($3 for seniors) we figured what the hell? They advertise 30 minutes, but it’s more like 20, based upon the length of the Q&A at the end of the tour. Anyway, a visit to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour goes a little something like this.
- Buy your tickets and then wait for you assigned tour time.
- Our group was ushered into a mini viewing room where we were seated and shown the “political” video, which is really just about the journey of the company’s humble beginnings to where they are now. And, how they came to be purchased by Unilever but still maintains an external board of directors. It was actually quite interesting.
- Next up is a view of the manufacturing room (no photography allowed) through large plate glass windows. Due to maintenance no ice cream was being made on the day we visited. I always find it amusing when factories won’t let visitors take pictures. Do they really think Haagen Dazs is going to glean anything they don’t already know?!
- Lots of corny but actually funny jokes were shared as our guide led us to the tasting room where we were served a sizeable sample of Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream. Yum! This is also the Q&A portion of the program.
The Flavor Graveyard
Aside from eating ice cream, by far the best part of a visit to Ben and Jerry’s is the Flavor Graveyard. It’s where all not-so-successful flavors go to die. Hilarious!
If You Go
To learn more: Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
- Ben and Jerry’s: 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Route 100 – Waterbury, VT 05676
- Ample parking for cars and RVs
- Tours are offered 7 days/week
- Tickets are $4/adult – $3/seniors – no charge for kids 12 and younger
- Smoke Free
- Time allotted for visit – 1 hour
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Sweet! I can see why the Sweet Potato Pie flavor might not have caught on…
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank recently posted…Córdoba (Spain) and the Mezquita – one of the most incredible sights you’ll ever see
I thought the same thing, Frank! 🙂
The tasting room alone would have been worth it to me. Those are HUGE scoops!!! I will definitely need to visit if I am up that way. Thanks for sharing!!!
Mustard Seed Money recently posted…The Dream: House with a Pool
We said the same thing, our free samples were big – happy us! It’s a fun stop for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’d visit an ice cream factory any day, especially Ben and Jerry’s.
Gaelyn recently posted…Magical inversion at Grand Canyon
I hear that! 🙂
I love Ben and Jerry’s – Cherry Garcia is my favorite! So yummy! I really want to visit the factory! I’m still morning Vanilla Chocolate Chunk and would love to pay my respects!
Jennifer St Louis recently posted…Malta – A Photo Essay of Gozo
I can see why you’d be missing Vanilla Chocolate Chunk, what’s not to love?!
Oh what heaven. Am such an ice cream lover….I once soent a whole weekend in Rome eating gelato every day five times a day. Yes I did get sick.
I love food tours too.
Interesting post. Graveyard idea and pics= best.
Peta
Peta Kaplan recently posted…Ben sculpts ~ Hoi An
Gelato in Italy sounds amazing, would love to embrace that experience! Thanks so much or stopping by.
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2016/05/is-there-such-a-thing-as-too-much-gelato-3-days-in-rome-italy.html
We’d ante up a few dollars for the tour as Ben and Jerry ice cream is awesome. I had to laugh when I read the epitaphs at the graveyard where flavors die. The Americone Dream looks yum but wouldn’t it be fun to have an ice cream tasting room? I’d even pay a few dollars more!
Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Planes, Trains and Automobiles or What We Did On Our Vacation
I thought the same thing, about a tasting room, but they’d probably never get people out of there! 😉
Maybe Ben and Jerry could donate ice cream for people who come to vote?
Maybe!
The graveyard is hilarious. I think I’d pay the price of admission for that alone. 🙂
The graveyard was very funny, Donna. I think there were maybe 20 headstones. The graveyard is actually not included in the tour, so it’s a freebie.
We thought the B&J factory was a great little stop on our way through to Stowe. Like you, we loved the fact that it’s an environmentally-conscious, independent company. In fact we loved that about Vermont in general as it seemed to be the model for so many businesses there. More pics and stories from Vermont please Patti!
Amy recently posted…Life in Chiang Mai, One Month Update
It was indeed a fun stop! And no worries, more photos to come. I thought of you often while we were in Vermont.