INSIDE SCOOP

Multiple locations in Utah

Opening soon in Chandler, AZ

Brookersicecream.com

We have one of those inspirational blocks on one of our mantles: ‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.’ This month’s Inside Scoop stop may very well have been founding on this mantra.

Brian and Jamie Brooker opened their first shop on December 10, 2018, at the beginning of winter in Vineyard, Utah. While I am of the opinion there is no ‘bad’ time for ice cream, opening an ice cream business at the beginning of winter may not have been the best idea. So to trump that, they opened their second shop, in Provo, UT, in the middle of the pandemic. Brian Brooker has said that they’ll probably open their third location in the midst of an alien invasion (be careful what you wish for, Brian).

It does seem that, since 2018, whatever they have been doing has worked, as they now have 10 locations in Utah with a new one coming to Chandler, AZ.

Some 25 years ago, after high school graduation in the state of Virginia, Brian took off to travel a good length of the Appalachian Trail. His time in New England saw him stopping at many ice cream shops with homemade goods. Later, he and Jamie spent a summer semester from BYU in Europe, further solidifying their love of ice cream, specifically Italian gelato. This spark turned into a flame and Brian continued his education and curiosity of the ice cream business with over a decade of ice cream courses around the country, as well as private instruction with industry leaders. He tracked down the inventor of cookies and cream and made ice cream with him, in his basement, for three days. That’s dedication.

Having grown up in the backyard of the Founding Fathers in Virginia, his love of Early American history began at a young age. He would visit their homes, battlefields and other places where they made world history.

Brooker’s dedication to the founding principles extended far beyond having a sound understanding of the nation’s history and a love for American Heritage. After graduating from BYU with a bachelor's in science and getting a law degree and MBA from Penn State, he decided to join the military. He served as a judge advocate general (JAG) attorney for eight years. He joined the military because of 9/11, wanting to serve and give back.

His love of American history and super-premium, quality ice cream developed into the opening of Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream. All of their locations are set in Revolutionary America themed taverns, offering a place to enjoy a pint while carousing with the locals. The Provo location has a working Colonial brick fireplace and reclaimed wood bar counter seating. Employees dress in authentic clothing from the Colonial 1776 period, and Brooker’s ice cream creations carry the names of important founding fathers and mothers of the country. Here are just a very few, for examples:

Mary Chilton Sweet Potato Casserole: Spiced sweet potatoes, candied pecans and marshmallow swirl. Aaron Burr’s Murderous Shot: Black Madagascar vanilla. Abigail Adams’ salted crack cookie advice: salted caramel ice cream with crack cookie chunks, roasted pecans and smoked almonds. Patrick Henry’s Give Me Chocolate or Give Me Death: rich chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate fudge chip brownie, chocolate truffle and a swirl of chocolate ganache. Mum Bett’s Day in Court: Ugandan vanilla ice cream with chunks of heath toffee and chocolate flakes. And Mad Anthony’s Key lime.

From these patriotic flavors one can make a plethora of sundaes, equally as patriotic. The Victory at Yorktown: Marquis De Lafayette’s French Vanilla pastry and Alexander Hamilton’s Not Throwing Away my Scoop ice creams with fudge brownie, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, butterscotch and hot fudge. Or maybe you will honor the father of our country with the Crossing of the Delaware: George Washington’s Indispensable Flavor and Monroe’s Marshmallow Peanut Butter Cookie Doctrine with peanut butter cup, Reese’s Pieces, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, hot marshmallow, chocolate sauce and hot peanut butter. That would have kept the militia warm that winter. Should you visit with a group of your riding posse, why not splurge for The Liberty Bell Monumental Sundae? For a mere $50 you’ll get 13 colonial scoops of ice cream, 4 each dry and liquid toppings, 2 split bananas, whipped cream, nuts and cherries.

Not to alienate our French allies during the Revolutionary War, you can indulge in colonial crepes like Comte de Rochambeau: hot marshmallow, mini M&Ms, hot chocolate sauce, graham cracker crumble and whipped cream.

Brooker’s American Drinking Chocolate is the stuff made of legends, literally. For thousands of years, chocolate was known as a beverage. Similar to the introduction of ice cream, chocolate was reserved for the wealthy and powerful elites. This is a history lesson for another time but suffice it to say, Brooker’s Drinking Chocolate, one named for each of the original 13 colonies, is a thick, rich chocolate immersion and one that you will not soon forget.

Brian Brooker takes both his American history and premium ice cream very seriously. He has brought together his loves and it is his desire that his customers learn to enjoy and appreciate both.

“I’ve been studying, reading about America’s founding for many years now. With every generation that goes by, history is being told inaccurately with an agenda or even a malice towards history,” Brooker said. “I want to put back out in the American community and culture, true and positive things about what makes this place special and different.”

Should you find yourself travelling through the state of Utah, it behooves you to rein your horse at one of these fine establishments. Huzzah!