Columbus Craft Brewing and Ice Cream Collaborations: Land-Grant Brewing Co. And Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Columbus, Ohio has turn into a national destination for innovative food and beverage collaborations, with few partnerships capturing local pride quite like the ongoing synergy between Land-Grant Brewing Co. and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Both companies, founded in the early 2010s and deeply rooted in Columbus’ creative economy, have repeatedly teamed up to produce limited-edition beers and ice creams that blend craft brewing techniques with artisanal dessert flavors. These collaborations are more than marketing stunts—they reflect a shared commitment to quality, community, and culinary experimentation that has helped define Columbus’ reputation as a Midwestern hub for craft innovation.

The Origins of a Columbus Icon Partnership

Land-Grant Brewing Co. Launched in 2014 in the Franklinton neighborhood, naming itself after the Morrill Act of 1862, which established land-grant universities to promote practical education—a nod to the brewery’s focus on accessibility and community engagement. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, founded by Jeni Britton Bauer in 2002 and headquartered in Columbus since 2007, gained national acclaim for its inventive flavors and commitment to using grass-fed dairy and direct-trade ingredients.

The first official collaboration between the two brands emerged in 2016, when Land-Grant brewed a Brown Butter Bourbon Blond Ale inspired by Jeni’s popular Brown Butter Almond Brittle ice cream. The beer featured toasted malt notes, a hint of bourbon barrel aging, and almond essence—directly translating the ice cream’s flavor profile into a liquid form. Released during the summer months, it sold out within weeks and set the template for future joint projects.

Notable Collaborations and Flavor Innovations

Since their initial partnership, Land-Grant and Jeni’s have released several co-branded products, each timed to seasonal releases or local events. Among the most celebrated:

• Dark Chocolate Truffle Stout (2017): A rich, velvety stout brewed with cocoa nibs and lactose, mirroring Jeni’s Dark Chocolate Truffle ice cream. The beer was aged on vanilla beans to enhance its dessert-like complexity.
• Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Ale (2018): Inspired by Jeni’s Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk, this farmhouse-style ale used fresh strawberries and a touch of lactic acidity to replicate the ice cream’s bright, tangy profile.
• Brunch Punch Shandy (2020): A playful take on Jeni’s Brunch Punch (orange, champagne, and gin), this shandy blended Land-Grant’s wheat beer with cold-pressed orange juice and a hint of sparkling wine—released just in time for outdoor summer gatherings.
• Cold Brew Coffee Conga (2021): A coffee-forward porter made with cold-brew concentrate from Foxhole Coffee and lactose, echoing Jeni’s Cold Brew Coffee with Cream & Sugar ice cream. The collaboration highlighted Columbus’ growing specialty coffee scene.

These products are typically released in limited quantities, often available only at Land-Grant’s taproom, Jeni’s scoop shops in Columbus, or select local retailers. Due to high demand, many collaborations sell out within days, prompting fans to follow both brands’ social media channels for release announcements.

Community Impact and Cultural Significance

Beyond flavor innovation, the Land-Grant and Jeni’s partnership underscores a broader trend in Columbus: the fusion of local manufacturing, agriculture, and creative entrepreneurship. Both companies prioritize sourcing from Ohio-based suppliers when possible—Land-Grant uses Ohio-grown barley and hops in many of its brews, while Jeni’s partners with dairies like Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster and fruit growers across the Midwest.

The collaborations similarly serve as platforms for charitable outreach. For example, proceeds from the 2020 Brunch Punch Shandy supported Star House, a Columbus-based nonprofit providing drop-in services for homeless youth. Similarly, a 2022 collaboration tied to Juneteenth benefited the King Arts Complex**,** a historic African American cultural center in the city’s Near East Side.

These efforts reflect a shared ethos: that craft producers can be both commercially successful and socially responsible. As Jeni Britton Bauer stated in a 2019 interview with Columbus Monthly, “We don’t just want to make great ice cream—we want to apply our platform to make Columbus better.” Land-Grant’s co-founder, Bob Pease, has echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the brewery’s role as a “community gathering place” rather than just a production facility.

How the Collaborations Are Developed

Unlike many corporate partnerships that rely on licensing agreements, the Land-Grant/Jeni’s collaborations are developed through close, iterative collaboration between brewers, flavor scientists, and culinary teams. The process often begins with joint tastings, where Jeni’s flavor creators present ice cream prototypes to Land-Grant’s brewing team. Brewers then reverse-engineer the flavor profile using techniques like:

• Fruit purées and extracts for bright, acidic notes
• Lactose or milk sugars to mimic creaminess
• Barrel aging for vanilla, bourbon, or toasted oak characteristics
• Spice infusions (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom) to replicate warm dessert profiles

Multiple test batches are typically brewed and tasted before a final version is approved. The result is not a beer that “tastes like ice cream,” but rather a beverage that captures the essence of the dessert—balancing sweetness, texture, and aroma in a way that translates across sensory domains.

Where to Find Current and Past Collaborations

While most Land-Grant/Jeni’s collaborations are limited-edition and not permanently available, fans can stay updated through:

• Land-Grant’s official blog, which announces upcoming releases and shares behind-the-scenes brewing notes
• Jeni’s journal, featuring stories on flavor development and producer partnerships
• Both brands’ Instagram accounts (@landgrantbrewing and @jenisicecreams), where release dates and pop-up events are frequently posted
• Select Columbus retailers like The Green Grocer and Binny’s Beverage Depot (Columbus locations), which occasionally carry leftover stock

both companies occasionally host “collab nights” at Land-Grant’s taproom, where guests can sample the beer alongside scoops of the inspiring ice cream—often accompanied by live music or local art installations.

The Future of Craft Collaborations in Columbus

As consumer interest in experiential, locally made products continues to grow, the Land-Grant/Jeni’s model serves as a blueprint for other cities seeking to strengthen their creative economies. Similar partnerships have emerged elsewhere—such as Great Notion Brewing and Salt & Straw** in Portland—but few have matched the depth of community integration seen in Columbus.

Looking ahead, both companies have hinted at expanding their collaboration beyond beer and ice cream. In a 2023 panel at the Experience Columbus Summit, Jeni Britton Bauer suggested exploring non-alcoholic fermented beverages, while Land-Grant has expressed interest in developing ice cream-inspired non-alcoholic seltzers or kombucha lines.

For now, the legacy of their partnership remains clear: by combining rigor, creativity, and a deep love for their hometown, Land-Grant Brewing Co. And Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams have turned flavor innovation into a form of civic pride—one scoop and one sip at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Land-Grant Brewing Co. And Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams have collaborated since 2016 on limited-edition beers inspired by Jeni’s ice cream flavors.
• Notable collaborations include Dark Chocolate Truffle Stout, Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Ale, and Brunch Punch Shandy.
• These partnerships emphasize local sourcing, community engagement, and charitable giving—proceeds have supported organizations like Star House and the King Arts Complex.
• The development process involves close collaboration between brewers and flavor scientists to translate dessert profiles into beer using techniques like lactose addition, fruit purées, and barrel aging.
• Fans can stay updated on future releases through the brands’ blogs, social media, and select Columbus retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Land-Grant and Jeni’s collaborations available nationwide?

No. Most collaborations are released in limited quantities and are primarily available in Columbus, Ohio—at Land-Grant’s taproom, Jeni’s scoop shops, or select local retailers. Due to high demand, they often sell out quickly and are not distributed nationally.

Do the beers actually contain ice cream?

No. The collaborations do not include physical ice cream. Instead, brewers use ingredients like lactose, fruit purées, spices, and barrel aging to replicate the flavor profile of specific Jeni’s ice creams in beer form.

Are any of the collaborations non-alcoholic or vegan?

Most collaborations contain alcohol and lactose (making them non-vegan). However, both companies have expressed interest in exploring non-alcoholic and dairy-free options in future projects. Consumers should check individual product descriptions for allergen and dietary information.

How often do Land-Grant and Jeni’s release new collaborations?

There is no fixed schedule, but the brands typically release one to two collaborations per year, often tied to seasons, holidays, or local events. Announcements are made via social media and official blogs.