As the weather cools and baseball season winds down, the desire for ice cream remains a constant. Enter Blue Moon Brewing, which has teamed up with Rawlings and Hardscoop to bring a new twist to the frozen dessert scene: a boozy ice cream infused with the signature Valencia oranges from their popular beer. The result is Blue Moon Home Run Twist, a blend of orange and vanilla flavors that contains a modest 1.9% alcohol by volume (ABV), designed to evoke the “ballpark” experience in a dessert form.
While combining beer and ice cream may seem controversial to some, Blue Moon’s creation is a bold attempt to marry two iconic summer staples. But does it succeed in delivering the perfect mix of nostalgia and flavor? Let’s dive in.
The Taste Test
Upon opening the carton, it’s immediately clear that the ice cream resembles a bright orange sherbet. The initial scent is all citrus, with a subtle malt undertone that recalls a summer beer. It’s an inviting smell, reminiscent of a cold, refreshing beverage enjoyed at a ballgame.
The first bite confirms that orange zest dominates the flavor, but it’s balanced by the smoothness of vanilla, offering a familiar creamsicle taste. The alcohol, unsurprisingly, is nearly imperceptible. At 1.9% ABV, the boozy kick is so light that it doesn’t make a noticeable impact on the flavor or experience.
While the flavor is spot on—simple, refreshing, and pleasant—the texture leaves something to be desired. The freezing process has affected the ice cream’s consistency, making it a bit grainy and slushy. The texture detracts from the overall enjoyment, creating an unpleasant mouthfeel that could be off-putting to some.
A Flavorful, but Mild Experience
In terms of flavor, Blue Moon Home Run Twist delivers a solid, if not spectacular, result. The orange and vanilla combo is effective in evoking a creamsicle vibe, but there’s little connection to the beer itself beyond the inclusion of Valencia oranges. This might be a relief to those who were hoping the ice cream wouldn’t be overpowered by the beer’s flavor. It’s light on the alcohol front, which is both a plus and a minus depending on what you’re seeking from the dessert.
For those craving more of a boozy flavor, this ice cream could work well in a beer float, a pairing that might elevate the beer taste without compromising the dessert’s texture. However, this reviewer was disappointed to find their stock of Blue Moon had run dry—meaning the float experiment will have to wait.
A Final Verdict: Worth the Calories?
When compared to a baseline cheap beer—say, Hamm’s, the go-to “everyman’s” beer for many—the question becomes: Would you prefer to enjoy Blue Moon Home Run Twist over a cold can of your usual brew?
While the ice cream does offer a tasty experience, at 1.9% ABV, it doesn’t pack much of a boozy punch, making it difficult to justify as a substitute for a classic beer. The flavor is good, but for both ice cream and alcohol, there are options that deliver more robust flavors and better textures.
Ultimately, Blue Moon Home Run Twist is an enjoyable treat, but it falls short of being a standout. It’s a fun novelty, but not one likely to replace a cold can of Hamm’s—or a scoop of premium ice cream—on a typical day.
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