Johnsonville Beer Brauts

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Foodbme)

Tue, 12 May 2009 10:23:20 GMT

rebeltruce

Foodbme

rebeltruce

As for Brats..I like them simmered with beer and onions just until they are almost done, then finished on a hot charcoal grill. Mustard, kraut, a little raw onion and a ice cold Straub...doesn't get any better!

STRAUB's BEER????????? Count me in!!
http://www.straubbeer.com/

Foodbme,

Was just up to St. Mary's two weeks ago, this was the first of my two or three motorcycle trips to the Eternal Tap for the year.

I'm thinking a Brat simmered in Staub Dark and a few onions would be excellent!

Have you tried a Straub Dark yet? Don't know how often you get back this way, but next time you have a chance to have a Straub give the Dark a try!

Thanx! for the tip. I don't get back there very often. My wife's HS 50th reunion is coming up and will probably go back then.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (rebeltruce)

Tue, 12 May 2009 06:45:31 GMT

Foodbme

rebeltruce

As for Brats..I like them simmered with beer and onions just until they are almost done, then finished on a hot charcoal grill. Mustard, kraut, a little raw onion and a ice cold Straub...doesn't get any better!

STRAUB's BEER????????? Count me in!!
http://www.straubbeer.com/

Foodbme,

Was just up to St. Mary's two weeks ago, this was the first of my two or three motorcycle trips to the Eternal Tap for the year.

I'm thinking a Brat simmered in Staub Dark and a few onions would be excellent!

Have you tried a Straub Dark yet? Don't know how often you get back this way, but next time you have a chance to have a Straub give the Dark a try!

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Foodbme)

Tue, 12 May 2009 01:08:48 GMT

rebeltruce

As for Brats..I like them simmered with beer and onions just until they are almost done, then finished on a hot charcoal grill. Mustard, kraut, a little raw onion and a ice cold Straub...doesn't get any better!

STRAUB's BEER????????? Count me in!!
http://www.straubbeer.com/

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ann peeples)

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:55:00 GMT

Its funny Dennis-until I was in N.C., I had never heard of slaw on hot dogs, or BBQ.I do enjoy it!

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (rebeltruce)

Mon, 11 May 2009 06:30:22 GMT

David_NYC

I've been looking for these Johnsonville brats ever since SassyGrits started this thread. I never found any Johnsonville brats with a credit to Miller beer on them. However, I found these Hillshire Farm brats that ShenB mentioned in a ghetto supermarket on Long Island today:
http://www.gomeat.com/sitecontent/bunsize-sausage/archive/2009/04/08/miller_5F00_high_5F00_life_5F00_beer_5F00_brats.aspx

The label on the package indicates they are made with Miller High Life beer. I wanted to see how good they would work with my 'step saver recipe'. I prepared my sauerkraut by taking some Frank's canned sauerkraut and baking it for 75 minutes at 300 degrees F. with some brown sugar and 4 ounces apple juice. Then, I grilled the brats in an electric frypan with butter at 275 degrees for 25 minutes. I was pleased with these. They certainly give Thumann's, Schaller & Weber, Dietz & Watson, Karl Ehmer, and Boars Head a run for their money. They are all pork but do contain MSG and corn syrup.

They are coarse ground similar to the Karl Ehmer brats, and have a pleasant, sweet spice blend. While they cannot match those of local mom-and-pop butcher shops, they certainly will be appreciated by people who are limited to mass market supermarket brands.

I find it curious that two manufacturers could get a product tie-in with Miller High Life beer. But, I continue to look for Johnsonville brats indicating they are made with Miller beer.

Kraut in a can....good??? Always tastes like the can to me, but I think I'll give this Franks stuff a try if I can find it.

As for Brats..I like them simmered with beer and onions just until they are almost done, then finished on a hot charcoal grill. Mustard, kraut, a little raw onion and a ice cold Straub...doesn't get any better!

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Twinwillow)

Mon, 11 May 2009 01:26:42 GMT

Michael Hoffman

JRPfeff

I guess that makes you #1.

Try a taste test Michael. Until you do, shut up.

I know why you use the simmer crutch. But experience shows that grilled bratwurst are superior without it.

I grilled (only) bratwurst for years, until I learned the proper way to do them -- simmer first to cook them through, and then grill them to brown them up. And if you don't mind I'll not shut up. Not for you and not for anyone.

You go, Michael! I've always wanted to try simmering brats in beer and onions before grilling them. Now, if you say that's the best way, well, I'll do it. Sounds like a great idea and probably plumps up the brats for the grill.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (DLnWPBrown)

Sun, 10 May 2009 21:49:25 GMT

ann I was never a kraut person here..... I prefer slaw if anything on my dog.

Dennis in Cary

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ann peeples)

Sun, 10 May 2009 10:47:58 GMT

Franks originated in Franksville, Wi-a sleepy little town that used to produce tons of sauerkraut.Unfortunately, they closed the factory a while back due to the economic climate.I know they still celebrate their roots with a Sauerkraut festival every year.By the way, David_NYC, your recipe for baked kraut sounds excellent, and Hillshire meats are actually making a big comeback here in Wisconsin....

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (David_NYC)

Sat, 09 May 2009 22:47:21 GMT

I bought my Frank's kraut at a Dollar Tree store on Long Island. The rub is that it was short dated. Frank's is not normally sold in this area, so The Fremont Company may have "dumped" it here. However, if you look at the (very long) date codes on the can, you can see they private label for a lot of locally sold brands, including B&G.
http://www.sauerkraut.com/

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ken8038)

Sat, 09 May 2009 22:41:17 GMT

<<I prepared my sauerkraut by taking some Frank's canned sauerkraut and baking it for 75 minutes at 300 degrees F.>>

Forgive me for steering this slightly off-topic, but just the other day I picked up a can of Frank's Sauerkraut at the $1 store in Watchung NJ. It was new to me and it was surprisingly good.

Is this a good local brand from MD that somehow went astray and wound up at a dollar store?

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (David_NYC)

Sat, 09 May 2009 22:20:58 GMT

I've been looking for these Johnsonville brats ever since SassyGrits started this thread. I never found any Johnsonville brats with a credit to Miller beer on them. However, I found these Hillshire Farm brats that ShenB mentioned in a ghetto supermarket on Long Island today:
http://www.gomeat.com/sitecontent/bunsize-sausage/archive/2009/04/08/miller_5F00_high_5F00_life_5F00_beer_5F00_brats.aspx

The label on the package indicates they are made with Miller High Life beer. I wanted to see how good they would work with my 'step saver recipe'. I prepared my sauerkraut by taking some Frank's canned sauerkraut and baking it for 75 minutes at 300 degrees F. with some brown sugar and 4 ounces apple juice. Then, I grilled the brats in an electric frypan with butter at 275 degrees for 25 minutes. I was pleased with these. They certainly give Thumann's, Schaller & Weber, Dietz & Watson, Karl Ehmer, and Boars Head a run for their money. They are all pork but do contain MSG and corn syrup.

They are coarse ground similar to the Karl Ehmer brats, and have a pleasant, sweet spice blend. While they cannot match those of local mom-and-pop butcher shops, they certainly will be appreciated by people who are limited to mass market supermarket brands.

I find it curious that two manufacturers could get a product tie-in with Miller High Life beer. But, I continue to look for Johnsonville brats indicating they are made with Miller beer.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (stricken_detective)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:02:52 GMT

John Fox

You're welcome, Annie. It's like ketchup on a hotdog, a personal preference.

Except that simmering brats before grilling is perfectly acceptable while ketchup on a hot dog is downright wrong

I know that & you know that, but this is America. Live long, prosper & eat what you want.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (WarToad)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:10:35 GMT

John Fox

Except that simmering brats before grilling is perfectly acceptable while ketchup on a hot dog is downright wrong

Aaaaaaaaaaand there's that gauntlet again.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Michael Hoffman)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:45:49 GMT

John Fox

Except that simmering brats before grilling is perfectly acceptable while ketchup on a hot dog is downright wrong

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (John Fox)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:44:23 GMT

You're welcome, Annie. It's like ketchup on a hotdog, a personal preference.

Except that simmering brats before grilling is perfectly acceptable while ketchup on a hot dog is downright wrong

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (stricken_detective)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:57 GMT

annpeeples

Thanks Aimee-I lived in Sheboygan for 7 years, and have seen them done both ways.As I said in my post before, there is a divided community on this topic.And I dont just mean on Roafood. I mean in Wisconsin.

You're welcome, Annie. It's like ketchup on a hotdog, a personal preference.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (the grillman)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:14:32 GMT

Johnsonville brats are ok in a pinch, but I prefer the local variety when I can get them. GW sausage company in St. Louis makes an excellent brat; even some of the grocery stores make a better fresh brat than Johnsonville.

That being said, grilling is the way to go; serve them on a lightly toasted bun with spicy brown mustard, some grilled onion, or chopped raw onion, and wash it down with a cold beer. Repeat as needed. I find two brats and three beers about the right ratio.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ann peeples)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:16:40 GMT

You are correct, Wartoad-my friend and I threw down the gauntlet, and now its peace.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Michael Hoffman)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:16:25 GMT

I have that effect on people. It's a gift.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (WarToad)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:42:44 GMT

Whats up with Roadfood lately? Ever since Micheal H said its turned into a suck up site, it's whiplashed into a mud slinging fest.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Foodbme)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:31:27 GMT

Personally, I like to Nuke them in the Microwave and watch them explode all over the place!

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (WarToad)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:26:35 GMT

In my distant history I was known to serve charred Brats on the outside while pink on the inside. Due to this, I moved to simmering in beer and onions first, grilling, then if I have to hold, back into simmering beer and onions.

Having been to Germany, I've seen plenty of German friends, family, neighbors simmer their Brats before grilling. Anyone who insists it's taboo needs to take a educational trip to the brat motherland. It's fully accepted, though neither demanded or admonished.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ann peeples)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:00:40 GMT

Thanks Aimee-I lived in Sheboygan for 7 years, and have seen them done both ways.As I said in my post before, there is a divided community on this topic.And I dont just mean on Roafood. I mean in Wisconsin.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (stricken_detective)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:52:31 GMT

jeepguy

I'm pretty sure they don't simmer the brats in Sheboygan WI. I don't do it either.

Well, that would depend on who you mean when you say "they".

My grandfather & uncle both cook them this way & "they" both live in Sheboygan. I'm not pretty sure, I'm very sure since I've seen them both cook them this way.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (seatown76)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:51:56 GMT

Well I have been to Johnsonville's Brat Day's in Sheboygan a couple of times and yes some of the vendors do simmer before as well as after. That's okay though your from Chicago and probably a Bears fan so I won't hold it against you......lol.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (acer2x)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:48:27 GMT

What's a "braut?"

A brat made with sauerkraut?

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (jeepguy)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:31:13 GMT

I'm pretty sure they don't simmer the brats in Sheboygan WI. I don't do it either.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (ShenB)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:28:58 GMT

seatown76

Brad_Olson

ShenB

I Found those same brats at a surplus food outlet here in West Michigan back in late January They had cases of them in their freezer for $1.10 for the package of 6 all marked with a 02/25/09 sell date if not frozen. They are precooked so only need to be thawed and crisped up

Shen, if the OP is referring to these brats and you have the same ones they're definitely not precooked. You might want to doublecheck to avoid any kind of unpleasant surprise.

Johnsonville's recommended use of beer while cooking can be found here. I personally prefer to either smoke bratwurst or grill it over lower heat; it's not necessary to char the casing in order to cook it all the way through.

Brad

I believe that these are the precooked ones he was refering to. Ok in a pinch for the kids.
http://www.johnsonville.com/home/products/brats/beer-brat

For what it's worth I never simmer before grilling and I usually only cook brats for a crowd as not everyone in my family likes them. I put them on a nice hot grill and get them nice and brown and crispy and then while they are still slightly under cooked i put them into an aluminum disposable pan that is filled with beer, butter and onion that has been sitting on the grill. This way I can cook in smaller batches and toss into the pan.. And when I am all done grilling the brats and they have "simmered" on the Q' for a little bit. Everyone can dig in and eat at the same time and I am already done grilling and can enjoy the company.

Seatown,
My error - The brats I picked up for $1.10 per pkg. were actually Hillshire Farms Beer Brats and yes, they are precooked. Haven't tried them yet but probably will this weekend.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Michael Hoffman)

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:26:38 GMT

Scorereader

.............IS IT FOOTBALL SEASON YET!!!!???!!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!?

It's always football season.

Re:Johnsonville Beer Brauts (Scorereader)

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:32:02 GMT

another stupid feature, sassygrits! don't sweat it.

I've never simmered my brats...didn't know I was supposed to. I whilst try that method in the future. I can afford to lose one beer for the cause :o)

.............IS IT FOOTBALL SEASON YET!!!!???!!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!?