Recently, my local pub has been offering fruit ale cheesecakes — strawberry, apricot and raspberry . Traditionally they have offered Oatmeal Stout and Chocolate Stout cheesecakes but they have bumped it up a notch this summer with their fruit ale flavored cheesecakes. It is light and fluffy, not as heavy as your traditional New York Cheesecake. Absolutely wonderful! And now with the August heat and humidity, cold frozen ice cream has been calling, but what about one with a flavored ale or Stout?

From the Brooklyn Brew Shop comes this cool summer delight — Coconut Maple Porter Ice Cream! Give it a try. The Maple Porter is delicious, but you can try any dark flavorful beer. 

| Ingredients 

5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup regular coconut milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cup Chocolate Maple Porter (or any dark, delicious beer)

| Directions 

In a medium-sized thick-bottomed pot combine coconut milk, heavy cream, and Porter and cook over low heat just until hot.

In a medium bowl whisk together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about three minutes.

Using a ladle or a small measuring cup, scoop a few small amounts of the hot liquid into your egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Once you’ve scooped in enough liquid for the yolks to become warm (about three scoops), gently whisk the mixture back into your saucepan with the remaining coconut milk, cream, and beer.

Turn the heat to medium and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon in a thin, creamy layer.

Transfer through a strainer and into a bowl. Refrigerate until cool, and churn in your ice cream maker to preferred consistency. Freeze until hard and enjoy.