Stargazer Ice Cream: The Beer-Inspired Frozen Treat Taking Over

The Origins of Stargazer Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of life's simple pleasures that brings joy to people of all ages. The cool, creamy sweetness dancing on your tongue is enough to make anyone smile. While traditional flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry remain iconic, ice cream makers are always innovating with new and exciting flavors. The latest craze capturing people's tastebuds is stargazer ice cream.

Stargazer ice cream was created by Stargazer Brewing Co., an independent craft brewery based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Known for their creative selection of craft beers, Stargazer decided to apply their artful approach to ice cream. The result is a swirled masterpiece inspired by their signature Stargazer Double IPA.

Capturing the Essence of Stargazer Beer in Ice Cream Form

Stargazer Double IPA is an unfiltered imperial India pale ale brewed with a unique blend of hops. It features a hazy, golden orange color with tropical fruit aromas and a slight bitterness balanced by malt sweetness. Stargazer uses pure Wisconsin dairy to transform this popular beer into an ice cream that encapsulates all the bright, citrusy flavors people love.

To properly capture the beer's essence, Stargazer ice cream contains ribbons of blood orange swirl and a vanilla malt ice cream base speckled with toasted coconut flakes. Every creamy spoonful delivers the perfect marriage of fruity hops and malty richness. The blood orange swirl adds a tangy sweetness that melds beautifully with the tropical notes of mango and pineapple. The coconut flakes contribute a subtle toasted flavor that enhances the beer nuances.

The Making of a Brewery-Inspired Treat

Creating an ice cream worthy of representing a classic craft beer requires careful formulation. Stargazer begins by consulting their award-winning brewers to select the essential hops and malts they wish to feature. Some of the hops chosen include Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe varietals, prized for their tropical fruit character.

The base incorporates hints of caramel and biscuit malts to mimic the malty backbone of the original beer. They infuse these malts into a smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream studded with toasted coconut flakes. Swirling ribbons of sweet and tangy blood orange add festive color and fruitiness to mirror the citrus hop flavors.

This artisanal ice cream is carefully handcrafted in small batches using Wisonsin dairy and local ingredients for peak quality and taste. The result is a mellifluous frozen creation with luscious texture and brilliant flavor akin to summer in ice cream form.

The Taste Sensation Taking Over

Since its debut in Stargazer's taproom in 2021, the Stargazer ice cream has developed a cult following among craft beer aficionados and ice cream lovers. Its balance of fruity hops and vanilla creaminess provides a delightful flavor journey in each scoop. The coconut flakes add toasted nuttiness while the swirled blood orange intensifies the citrus notes.

Why Stargazer Ice Cream is a Hit

There are several factors that have contributed to Stargazer's breakout success in the ice cream realm:

• Innovative flavor combination not found anywhere else
• Highlights popular Stargazer Double IPA beer
• Uses high-quality local dairy and ingredients
• Captures essence of a classic craft beer in frozen form
• Appeals to both beer geeks and ice cream fans
• Whimsical appearance with beer-inspired swirls
• Luscious, creamy mouthfeel

While flavors like chocolate and vanilla will never go out of style, people crave creativity. Stargazer ice cream wins praise for translating a beloved beer into an ingeniously designed ice cream. The tropical fruit notes combined with malty sweetness makes this frozen treat a true original.

Where to Find This Coveted Ice Cream

Due to exceptional demand, Stargazer has expanded distribution beyond their taproom shop. However, production remains small-batch to ensure exceptional quality standards. To savor this elite ice cream, check the locator on Stargazer's website to find a scoop near you.

Stargazer ice cream can currently be found in select gourmet ice cream shops and craft beer taprooms in Wisconsin. They also offer pints for delivery within the state through their online shop. Outside of Wisconsin, people have spotted Stargazer ice cream popping up in specialty retailers in major cities like Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Austin, and more.

Ice cream makers interested in wholesale opportunities can inquire through Stargazer's website contact form. With its impressive reception, expect to see Stargazer ice cream expand distribution nationwide in coming years.

Recreating the Magic at Home

While nothing compares to the genuine article, one way to get your Stargazer fix at home is by making your own version. It requires sourcing quality ingredients and some recipe testing, but you can mimic those fantastic flavors and colors in your own freezer.

DIY Stargazer Copycat Ice Cream

If you love quality craft beer and artisanal ice cream, try crafting this Stargazer copycat recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄8 tsp sea salt
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 tbsp coconut extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 1⁄2 cup blood orange marmalade

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, heat cream, milk, 1⁄2 cup sugar, and salt until steaming and sugar dissolves.
2. Temper hot cream mixture into egg yolks while constantly stirring.
3. Return mix to saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick enough to coat back of spoon.
4. Remove from heat and stir in coconut extract and vanilla.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Churn in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
7. In last 5 minutes of churning, slowly add toasted coconut flakes.
8. Transfer ice cream to freezer-safe container, adding swirls of blood orange marmalade.
9. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

While not exactly identical to the original, this easy homemade version captures the tropical fruit essence and beauty of Stargazer ice cream. Feel free to customize flavors to match your favorite craft beers or mix-ins. Now you can recreate the magic anytime those Stargazer ice cream cravings hit.

FAQs

What beer is Stargazer ice cream based on?

Stargazer ice cream is inspired by Stargazer Brewing's popular Stargazer Double IPA. This hazy, unfiltered imperial India pale ale features a tropical fruit hop character.

What flavors are in Stargazer ice cream?

The ice cream contains swirls of blood orange and a vanilla malt base with toasted coconut flakes. The blood orange swirl adds sweet tanginess while the coconut provides subtle toasted nuttiness.

Where can I buy Stargazer ice cream?

Stargazer ice cream is currently available in Stargazer's taproom shop along with select gourmet ice cream shops and craft beer taprooms in Wisconsin. Distribution is expanding to specialty retailers nationwide.

Does Stargazer ice cream contain alcohol?

No, Stargazer ice cream is non-alcoholic. It was designed to highlight the bright, tropical fruit flavors and malty richness of Stargazer's Double IPA beer but does not actually contain beer or alcohol.

Can I make Stargazer ice cream at home?

Yes! While not exactly the same, you can recreate the swirled orange flavors and coconut toasted crunch of Stargazer ice cream using the provided DIY copycat recipe.