Friday, February 1, 2019

Beer Floats – Fizzy Insult or Carbonated Classic?

Depending on whom you talk to, making ice cream floats with beer is either a genius idea, or a horrible mistake. In fact, I remember hearing one food writer describe a local beer float tasting as “fizzy insults,” which is a clever phrase, but not necessarily true, if the pairing is done properly.

The key is to choose a beer that’s on the toasty, malty, sweeter side, and stay away from beers that are too hoppy, dry, and bitter. But fair warning, even using a sweet, mellow brew, this is quite a different experience, which is why I suggested having some regular root beer around, just in case.

As far as the ice cream goes, there are as many flavors as there are choices of beers, but the safest, and probably most effective option would be plain, old vanilla, especially if using a fruit-infused brew. The exception to that would be if you were pouring a dark beer that features chocolate and coffee notes. In that case, a chocolate or coffee ice cream might be just the thing.

But no matter what beer you decide to pair with which ice cream, I’d make a small test glass first, to make sure it works for you and your palette. And if it doesn’t, don’t feel bad, since you’re still going to be eating ice cream and drinking beer, just not together. Either way, I really do hope you give these beer floats a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for an Ice Cream Beer Float:
1 cup of appropriate beer (something sweet and/or fruity, but not too bitter, dry, or sour)
1/3 cup vanilla ice cream
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11 comments:

RKK77 said...

Yum!You just found a way to make it easier to eat ice cream and drink beer. What a time saver! Erdinger Weisbier with Vanilla bean ice cream. Oh, and yes, I did send my wife out for beer and ice cream in -14C before the video was over... She understands.

Unknown said...

If I may he so bold you caught my attention with that raspberry sour!! May I ask what it is?

Unknown said...

I was skeptic but this actually was pretty tasty, thanks.
I have tried it with few versions
It worked well with Japanese beer called believe it or not SUIYOBINONEKO ‘Wednesday’s Cat’ (lady’s version), the beer is citrusy and on the sweet side and was even better with Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout.
Thank you
Never have heard about it or thought doing it, probably will be better during the summer though.
Funny thing, the version I loved best (and had to try until my wife stopped me) was the one with no ice cream in the beer.

Love your channel avid follower since 2008
One request, I would really really appreciate if somewhere on your blog you will post a measuring table showing in weight the amount in the recopies: a cup in the US is not the same as a cup in Europe or in Japan and there are the differences in ingredients as well (see a Tale of two salts)

Keep up the good work, the humor and as always
ENJOY

Unknown said...

Nice
Thans

Moose said...

I'm exceptionally fond of Lindemans Framboise (tart/sweet Belgian raspberry beer), high quality vanilla ice cream, minced candied ginger, and whipped cream.

Unknown said...

Great recipe! Beer floats, when done right, are fantastic. Every 4th of July we have the raspberry lambic with berry pie! I recommend; Lindemans Framboise (raspberry) See: https://www.merchantduvin.com/brew-lindemans-framboise-lambic.php

Kimberly Cianciolo said...

Chef John, My husband and I thoroughly enjoy your videos and recipes. My husband is the primary cook in our home. Now that we are older and watching our diets for healthy recipes, we wish you could teach us to convert some recipes to Keto. We have learned we can eat Butter, Bacon and Salt. It's not a diet, it is a healthy life style!

Kimberly Cianciolo said...

Chef John, My husband and I thoroughly enjoy your videos and recipes. My husband is the primary cook in our home. Now that we are older and watching our diets for healthy recipes, we wish you could teach us to convert some recipes to Keto. We have learned we can eat Butter, Bacon and Salt. It's not a diet, it is a healthy life style!

Alex in Shanghai said...

Did this with a dark, strong (like 7-8% ABV) Pumpkin Ale. Amazing. Liquid pumpkin pie a la mode. Thanks, chef!

Kennapop3 said...

I brew a Chocolate Milk Stout that is good with vanilla and chocolate Ice cream as Beer floats. I am also anxious to try my Christmas Beer (late Brew date in mid January) with lite hops and mulling spices.

Karen said...

I’ve done this before with organic cherry beer and vanilla ice cream it was delicious