In Cannery Row, one of the main characters, Doc, recalls a conversation:
Blaisedell, the poet, had said to him, “You love beer so much, I’ll bet someday you’ll go in and order a beer milk shake.” It was a simple piece of foolery but it had bothered Doc ever since. He wondered what a beer milk shake would taste like. The idea gagged him but he couldn’t let it alone. It cropped up every time he had a glass of beer. Would it curdle the milk? Would you add sugar? It was like a shrimp ice cream.
Steinbeck means this to be somewhat humorous, but now, 65 years later, there actually are beer milkshakes. Indeed it’s easy to find both guides and videos online1.
Not only that, but shrimp ice cream is itself available, and moreover even has its own eating contest. John Steinbeck truly was a seer of odd food.