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CHILL DON’T SCARE THE GRILL

People think those of us who grill outside in the winter to be crazy.  Well, I can remember a few evenings in early May when it’s been almost as cold!  You don’t have to mothball the grill just because it’s cold outside.  The food tastes just as good, maybe even better, and hey, standing in front of a hot grill takes the chill off a cold day, or night!

Here are some pointers to stay warm and get great results for winter grilling. First, dress appropriately, in layers and don’t forget the hat. Most of your heat loss comes from your head, so unless you’re planning on keeping it close to the grill (not recommended) keep it covered.  Next, grilling in winter takes a bit more time. Your grill will take longer to get warmed up and that can add about 25% more time to the cooking process.  So, make sure you have enough propane or charcoal on hand before you start, because running out midway through can be a pain.  Finally, enjoy the peace and quiet of winter serenity.  Odds are there’s not a lot going on outside, maybe a squirrel fight or an occasional deer sighting.  It’s just like ice fishing, they’re even better when you get them in cold weather.  There is nothing like a brat right off the grill and it just seems tastier in January!

If you’re not a fan of the cold, well, there are some great soup recipes in the Usinger cookbook and on our website.

Quit chillin’ start grillin’.

Fritz

 

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Usinger’s Selected Milwaukee’s Best Brat!

Like “Ueck” says, “When you want the best, you want Usinger’s.  America’s finest sausage since 1880, and proven once again.  Milwaukee Magazine conducted a taste test for their October issue, to determine the best brat between Usinger’s, Johnsonville and Klements.  Managing editor Howie Magner fired up his grill and and cooked (no parboiling, it just masks the real flavor). When all was said and done, the winner was 135 year-old Usinger’s.  It stood out for balanced spices and considerable juice.  Are you surprised?

To read the story look for “The Sausage Taste Test” in Milwaukee Magazine’s October 2015 issue.  Courtesy of Milwaukee Magazine/photo by Adam Ryan Morris.

http://www.milwaukeemag.com/2015/09/28/50-reasons-to-love-milwaukee-teaser/

 

 

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Oktoberfest Time!

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest outdoor party.  It’s celebrated all over the world, including right here in Milwaukee, but the main event is in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The 16-day festival runs from late September to the first weekend in October. They’ve held it there since the early 1800’as and it’s an important part of the Bavarian culture.  Wiesn, as it’s referred to in Bavaria, is short for the grounds it’s held on.  Munich’s Oktoberfest averages about 6 million visitors per year!  Most other Oktoberfest celebrations are patterned after Munich’s, they’re just a little smaller.

If you like to eat German food, Oktoberfest is a party you don’t want to miss.  Here’s a sample of what you can try, Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinsh axe (grilled ham hock), of course they’ll have plenty of Würst (sausages) along with Brezen (pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), and Sauerkraut.  Several of these dishes may sound familiar because they are served at Milwaukee’s Germanfest.

 

Along with Bratwurst another popular wurst traditionally served at Octoberfest is Weisswurst  (a short, stubby link with a light, fluffy texture, white in color, speckled with fresh parsley and a hint of onion).

 

In Milwaukee, we too love an outdoor party. Host your own Octoberfest celebration with Usinger’s Weisswurst and Bratwurst.  Hand crafted in our sausage kitchen on Third St. in downtown Milwaukee, they are spiced perfectly and great on the grill.

 

Enjoy the season, Prost!

 

 

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Fred Usinger Day February 23rd, 2015

February’s tastiest holiday is almost here!  Fred Usinger Day.

Mayor Tom Barrett proclaimed February 23rd as Fred Usinger Day in a special proclamation back in 2005.  This special proclamation recognized Usinger¹s as a locally family owned and operated business for four generations spanning over 125 years.  The City of Milwaukee salutes Fred Usinger, Inc. for it¹s long standing good corporate citizenship and commitment to the betterment of Metropolitan Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin area².  To commemorate this event, our friends at the Old German Beer Hall will be offering a free Usinger brat to patrons beginning at 11am until 8pm.  I will also be on hand at OGBH to tap a keg at 6pm and there will be free beer until the keg runs out.  Take a break from the cold and enjoy a hot juicy Usinger brat, maybe a pretzel and your favorite libation as we celebrate Milwaukee’s sausage heritage.

It¹s my favorite thing about February, hope you can join us for the party!

Fritz