South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is serving up a new kind of community collaboration this fall through a partnership with Humble Cow Ice Cream. Together, Humble Cow and the SPSCC Craft Brewing & Distilling program have created Coconut Stout, a limited-time ice cream flavor featuring stout concentrate produced by the college’s Craft Brewing & Distilling team.
The collaboration began when Percival Creek Tasting Room Manager Chris Riley connected Humble Cow with staff members of the SPSCC program. Jake Holshue, Director of Craft Brewing and Distilling, and Chris Patrick, Assistant Director of Craft Brewing and Distilling and Lead Brewer, then produced the stout concentrate at SPSCC’s Craft Brewing & Distilling Center. Humble Cow incorporated the concentrate into its sweet cream ice cream base along with toasted coconut, and the finished flavor is gluten-free and does not contain alcohol.
“We want our students to see how the skills they’re developing can translate into creative, real-world collaborations within our community,” said Jake. “This project really was a team effort, from making the initial connection with Humble Cow to developing and producing the stout concentrate. It’s a great example of what can happen when local makers come together.”
The collaboration also highlights the possibilities within SPSCC’s Craft Brewing & Distilling program. The program combines coursework in beverage production with subjects including chemistry, business operations and marketing, flavor and recipe development, packaging and distribution, and industry regulations. Students can put their learning into practice through hands-on experiences designing and creating craft beverage products.
Coconut Stout joins Humble Cow’s lineup as part of its Oktoberfest celebration and will be available at both Humble Cow retail locations while supplies last.
“This is exactly the kind of collaboration we love,” Jake said. “It connects education, local businesses, and our community, while giving everyone something delicious to celebrate.”