How do you make an ice cream capture the spirit of a rock band? Turns out, Kawartha Dairy actually knows.

By Lyn Whitham

After a chance introduction to The Tragically Hip’s lawyer, Mike Crowe had an intriguing idea. What if the two iconic Canadian institutions struck up a partnership and Mr. Crowe, the Kawartha Dairy’s director of product development and a third-generation member of the Dairy’s founding family, created a new ice cream to celebrate the collaboration.

It sure seemed to make sense. Both the Hip and Kawartha Dairy are loyally and passionately Canadian. They both share small town values. They are family-oriented, kind, community-minded and both inspire treasured memories of Canadian summers by the lake. Perhaps most importantly, The Tragically Hip’s hit song, Bobcaygeon, celebrated the very village where Kawartha Dairy was founded, almost 90 years ago. The partnership was meant to be.

The collaboration was announced on May 6th, and to mark it, Kawartha Dairy also announced a new ice cream flavour, The Tragically Chip^TM; yes, pun intended. It’s a name which brings a smile, and the ice cream is delicious, according to the band members and all who have tasted it.

“I wanted to create an ice cream that honoured The Tragically Hip,” said Mike Crowe. “It needed to be special, capturing the spirit of the band.”

Mr. Crowe started researching. His creative process required him to understand the story of the band, its ups and downs and what contributed to its enduring popularity.

The Tragically Hip got its start in Kingston, Ontario in 1984. It earned the affection of Canadians by travelling across Canada, from cities to towns to remote areas, and by telling Canadian stories. Forty-two years after the band was formed, Canadians still love their Hip and the music which sold over 6 million albums.

Mr. Crowe learned, like most, the band had its good times and bad. Yet, on their path to success, they never forgot their Canadian roots. Mike wanted to capture all that rich history and honour the extraordinary contribution The Tragically Hip has made to Canada.

“I had to pick ingredients which told the story. The prevailing taste is maple syrup flavoured ice cream (for Canada) with a hint of whisky (to capture the rock band spirit). I selected bitter sweet chocolate to connect with some of their melancholic lyrics.” he shared.

As well, Mike Crowe wanted an unexpected taste, in order to express the band’s long-term popularity. “I chose a black cherry ripple, a flavour which lingers …on the tongue.” he said. A brand new Kawartha Dairy ice cream was born and added to the over 50 tasty flavours already offered to customers.

True to their community commitment, Kawartha Dairy and The Tragically Hip will donate proceeds from the sales of The Tragically Chip^TM to the Breakfast Club of Canada.

“It’s soo good,” said a Bobcaygeon resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, but one of the few folks who have tasted The Tragically Chip^TM. “I love that Kawartha Dairy is honouring The Tragically Hip and giving back to the community at the same time.”

The ice cream will be widely available in Ontario and Western Canada, on June 22nd, in Kawartha Dairy stores and many grocery stores. Just in time for Canada Day.