Honestly one of the parts of visiting Vermont that I was REALLY so incredibly excited about was a visit to the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, Vermont. We got there around 11 am just in time for a tour (the tours run every half hour and cost $3). On the tour you get to see a video that explains the history of Ben and Jerry and Ben & Jerry's. Such highlights include that they knew each other since 7th grade gym class because they were the "slow fat kids", and they started an ice cream company because an ice cream maker was less expensive than a bagel maker! Next you got to actually see the ice cream being made (no photos were allowed during this portion of the tour and there was even a cow dressed up as a security guard to make sure you wouldn't dare take a photo!) Next was the sample part of the tour. The sample room used to be the "flavor creation kitchen" where Ben and Jerry and a team of flavor experts would create new flavors. Each person gets a sample of an ice cream that is brand new and is just being released. The flavor we were treated to was 'Chocowlate Chip' which consisted of Fair Trade Certified Vanilla ice cream with fudge cows! It was YUM. This is where the tour was concluded. I went to the gift shop and bought myself a pair of ice cream cone earrings. Next Jon and I got in line for some more ice cream. Initially my plan was to meet and then tackle the Vermonster ("a monster of a sundae- 20 scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, banana, cookies, brownies, and all of your favorite toppings"). I had seen it on a food network special of the 'world's greatest sundaes' and it has been haunting me (in a good way) ever since. However with all of the fresh Vermont air I really had turned into and was already eating like a Vermonster so for once in my life I decided to be practical (not to mention the fact that after the free sample Jon was already ice creamed out and would not partake in the fun). I ended up only getting one scoop of 'Chocolate Therapy' (chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls of chocolate pudding) on a sugar cone. I took my cone to go and we made our way to the "Flavor Grave Yard". This is where all flavors that have been discontinued have gone to Rest In Peace. It was super fun to visit and pay our respects to the fallen flavors. Our trip to the Ben & Jerry's factory really exceeded my expectations and let me tell you they were up there! I guess I could even say that about our trip to Vermont as a whole. I really did have a blast and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I am already looking forward to going back only next time I really will devour a Vermonster!
