Favorite area ice cream shops and unique locally made flavors

As published in Berkshire Magazine, June 2015

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Longer days and warmer temperatures can only mean one thing: It’s time for ice cream. Berkshire favorite SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington is introducing more locally made varieties, starting with company president Erik Bruun’s personal favorite, a series of four distinct coffee ice creams based on roasts from Six Depot Roastery and Café in West Stockbridge. Over in Lenox, don’t miss out on The Scoop, which has been making its own ice cream right on site, Blondie’s Homemade, going on three year now.

For that traditional, roadside, double-scoop-on-a-waffle cone dripping down your hand, enthusiasts have plenty of flavors to choose from. Up north, Pedrin’s Dairy Bar in North Adams has been serving up classic roadside dishes and ice creams for over 50 years. Down the road in Lanesborough, Krispy Cones has something for everyone with their 101 soft-serve flavors.  King Kone on the corner of First and Fenn streets is the spot Pittsfield locals flock to. On hot, summer evenings, patrons line up and down the street for one of their towering soft-serve cones or candy-loaded sundaes.

Continuing south, Lucky’s in Lee is known for its can’t-be-missed, bright-green building and unique flavors of Gifford’s ice cream like Caramel Caribou and Muddy Boots. Those looking to bring home more local flavor can pick up a pint from Lee’s High Lawn Farm at stores throughout the county. Made from their own Jersey-cow milk, it’s an ultra-creamy, Berkshire-fresh treat in three classic flavors.