Celebrate Memorial Day With Your Very Own Brat Fest

I am a long-time resident of Madison, Wisconsin. We’re surrounded by lakes, there are nice bike paths, and we have a bangin’ farmer’s market, but my very favorite thing about this place is Brat Fest.

By CC Staff

For those you not familiar with brats (rhymes with knots) or bratwursts as they’re formally known, they are delicious sausages hailing from Germany that found their way over to the states and are now a staple on mid-western grills. You usually soak them in beer and onions before you cook them, then you can top them with assorted condiments and relishes. It’s essentially what a hot dog aspires to be.

Brat Fest is exactly what is sounds like: thousands of people converging on a park in the middle of the city to listen to local bands, sit in the sun and gorge themselves on these unique sausages. All the proceeds go to local charities, and boy do they rake it in. At least 170,000+ brats are sold over the course of the weekend making the event “The World’s Largest Brat Fest.” Yes, I know they don’t have too much competition but when’s the last time you set a world record?

You may be too far away to take part in Madison’s Brat Fest but Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time for chilling and grilling. Why not spice up your picnic by bringing the brats?

Here’s a quick and easy recipe courtesy of BratwurstPages.com to help you get your brats just right:

Beer Brats

10 brats

2-12 ounce bottles or cans of beer

1 large onion

10 brat buns (They’re bigger than hot dog buns and more like a dinner roll. Check the bakery section of the grocery store.)

You’ll also need a grill and some charcoal.

Let your charcoal burn for 20-30 minutes before beginning to grill anything.

Pour 2 beers into a pot, add onions and your brats. Bring the whole thing to a simmer, but NEVER a boil. Let it summer for 20 minutes, then throw out the beer and onion mixture.

Place your bratwurst on the grill.

Grill until they’re golden brown on all sides, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Serve brats on brat buns, dressed with your favorite condiments. Ketchup and brown mustard are the old standards but chopped onions and sauerkraut can really shake up an already extraordinary sausage.

Brats make a great addition to any picnic or party. Plus it’s customary to drink a beer or two while you’re grilling them, making for a pretty fun cooking experience

Do any of you have any awesome summer BBQ foods? Any side dishes that would make my heart (and stomach) sing?