Penn State Berkey Creamery

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For anyone in Pennsylvania, especially those in and around State College, the Penn State Berkey Creamery isn't just an ice cream shop; it's a legendary institution steeped in over 150 years of history, agricultural innovation, and delicious tradition. Located right on the sprawling Penn State University Park campus within the Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, the Creamery offers an experience unlike any other. It’s a vibrant hub where cutting-edge dairy science meets the simple pleasure of a perfectly scooped cone, creating a unique "cow to cone" journey for its products. Far from being a mere retail outlet, the Creamery is an integral part of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, serving as a hands-on learning laboratory for students in Food Science and related disciplines. This unique integration of education and delicious production is what truly sets it apart, ensuring that every batch of ice cream reflects a commitment to quality, creativity, and scientific excellence. This article will delve into what makes the Penn State Berkey Creamery a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, exploring its rich history, accessible location, diverse range of services, unique features, and why it remains a cherished part of the Pennsylvania community.

The Penn State Berkey Creamery is conveniently located at 119, Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. This address places it squarely on the Penn State University Park campus, a bustling and iconic part of State College. Its position within the Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building means it's part of a modern, well-maintained facility dedicated to food science education and research.

For visitors and locals, accessing the Creamery is relatively straightforward. It is situated on the corner of Bigler and Curtin Roads, a prominent intersection on campus. The Creamery notes that parking is available in the East Deck Parking Garage on Bigler Road, located directly behind the Creamery Store and the Food Science Building. This dedicated parking option significantly enhances accessibility, especially for those driving to the campus specifically for the ice cream. Its proximity to other campus landmarks, including Beaver Stadium, makes it a convenient stop for game-day visitors, students, faculty, and area residents alike. The ease of access, combined with clear directional signage on campus, ensures that anyone looking to experience Penn State's legendary ice cream can do so without hassle.

• Freshly Made, Small-Batch Ice Cream: The core offering is its ice cream, made fresh in small batches on-site. The Creamery uses milk from Penn State's own herd, ensuring a true "cow to cone" freshness and quality. They produce a vast array of flavors from a repertoire of over 100 recipes, with typically 20-24 flavors available for scooping at any given time.

• Diverse Flavor Selection: Customers can choose from a wide variety of classic and unique flavors, many of which have Penn State-specific names and lore. Popular examples include "Peachy Paterno," "Alumni Swirl," "Bittersweet Mint," "Death By Chocolate," and "Happy Happy Joy Joy." They also offer sherbets and frozen yogurt options.

• Generous Scoops: The Creamery is renowned for its generous scoop sizes, often serving what amounts to about two scoops per cone or cup, providing excellent value and a satisfying treat.

• Milkshakes: In addition to scooped ice cream, the Creamery also offers thick, creamy milkshakes, which are the only instance where two different ice cream flavors are blended.

• Ice Cream Cakes and Novelties: For special occasions, they offer custom ice cream cakes, which can be ordered and personalized. They also have other packaged ice cream novelties.

• Take-Home Options: Customers can purchase half-gallons, pints, and quarts of their favorite flavors to enjoy at home. They also offer dry ice to keep products frozen for travel, and even ship their products to 48 states.

• Other Dairy Products and Specialty Foods: Beyond ice cream, the Creamery sells a range of other dairy products, including milk, various cheeses (like the Nittany Cheddar line), and specialty foods such as the famous Ye Olde College Diner Grilled Stickies. They also offer Penn State branded merchandise.

• Educational and Research Hub: The most significant highlight is its role as a working laboratory for Penn State's Department of Food Science. Students gain hands-on experience in dairy production, food safety, and business operations, from "cow to cone." This academic integration ensures a scientifically-backed approach to quality and innovation in every product. It's a place where dairy research began in 1865 and continues to set milestones.

• Historical Significance and Legacy: With a history spanning over 150 years, the Creamery is a true Penn State landmark. It even played a role in the careers of renowned ice cream makers like Ben & Jerry, who took one of its famous short courses in ice cream making. This rich legacy contributes to its iconic status and the sense of "ownership" and pride felt by alumni and locals.

• "Cow to Cone" Freshness and Quality: A unique aspect is the sourcing of milk largely from Penn State's own 210-cow herd at the Dairy Production Research Center. This direct farm-to-product process ensures unparalleled freshness and quality, a true testament to real dairy ice cream.

• Unique and Thematic Flavors: The Creamery is known for its creative flavor names that often pay homage to Penn State figures, landmarks, or traditions (e.g., Peachy Paterno, Alumni Swirl, Keeney Beany, WPSU Coffee Break, Russ Digs Roseberry). This personalization adds a layer of fun and local connection to the ice cream experience.

• Generous Portions and Value: Consistently praised by customers, the Creamery offers large, satisfying portions for a reasonable price, providing excellent value for premium, freshly made ice cream.

• Year-Round Operation: Unlike many seasonal ice cream shops, the Berkey Creamery is open year-round (only closing during university winter break and major holidays), making it a consistent destination for ice cream cravings regardless of the season.

• Largest University Creamery in the U.S.: It holds the distinction of being the largest university creamery in the United States, churning out millions of pounds of milk into ice cream annually, showcasing its scale and importance in dairy production.

For current operating hours, specific flavor availability, or to place orders for ice cream cakes or shipped products, you can contact the Penn State Berkey Creamery using the following details:

Address: 119, Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Phone: (814) 865-7535

Mobile Phone: +1 814-865-7535

Email: icecream@psu.edu

For the residents of University Park, State College, and indeed all of Pennsylvania, the Penn State Berkey Creamery is much more than a place to buy ice cream; it's a profound source of local pride and a deeply ingrained part of the community's identity. Its unparalleled commitment to quality, stemming from its direct "cow to cone" production process using milk from Penn State's own dairy herd, ensures a uniquely fresh and rich ice cream experience that is unmatched by commercial alternatives. Locals appreciate knowing exactly where their treat comes from and the scientific rigor behind its creation.

The Creamery's role as a living laboratory for the Food Science department means that customers are not just enjoying delicious ice cream, but also supporting agricultural education and innovation within their state. This connection to a top-tier university, coupled with the hands-on experience it provides to students, makes every scoop feel like a contribution to future generations of dairy experts. The iconic status, rich history (including its connection to ice cream legends like Ben & Jerry), and distinct Penn State-themed flavors foster a deep sense of loyalty and nostalgia among alumni and local residents alike. It's a place where traditions are made and revisited, year after year.

Furthermore, the generous portions, affordable pricing, and year-round availability make it a practical and appealing choice for daily treats and special occasions. Whether it's a quick break during a campus visit, a family outing on a hot summer day, or picking up a custom cake for a celebration, the Berkey Creamery consistently delivers. Its convenience, combined with its unique blend of academic excellence and delicious output, firmly establishes the Penn State Berkey Creamery as a truly indispensable and beloved local treasure for the people of Pennsylvania.

Penn State Berkey Creamery

119, Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA