Classic Wisconsin Beer Brats Recipe
Around two hundred years ago,  a festival tradition was created from the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.  In the fields in front of Munich's city gates, horses were raced,  Würstl (sausages) were consumed, and barrels of Oktoberfest were drained into large steins and held high.  Nowadays we brave cold conditions and fill parking lots in front of stadiums, enjoying Bratwürst and beer.  Some things never change.
Ingredients For 10 beer brats, you'll need:
  • 10 fresh bratwurst
  • 10 brat buns
  • Kettle grill
  • Charcoal briquettes (about 30) or lump charcoal
  • Holding Sauce ("batter"), see recipe below
  • Condiments (ketchup, brown mustard, chopped onion, sauerkraut)
Directions
  1. Mound lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes in a pyramid.  Start the charcoal.  Use an electric starter or crumpled paper, avoiding the use of hydrocarbons.  When the coals are partially white, spread in a single layer.  Allow the charcoal to burn until coals are covered with white-ash glowing embers (about 20-30 minutes)  The heat is just right when you can hold your hand palm-down, 2 inches above the grate, for 4-5 seconds.  If you can still see a red glow, it's too early to start cooking.  While you're waiting for the charcoal, prepare the "batter" (see recipe below).
  2. When coals are ready, place bratwurst on grill, 7-9 inches above the coals, and turn often until done, approximately 20-25 minutes.  The brats are done when you squeeze them gently and they feel firm.  True bratmeisters use their fingers instead of tongs to turn their brats, so they can feel when the brats are firm and therefore cooked.  Turn brats often; otherwise they will be burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.
  3. Flare-ups can quickly char your bratwurst, but can be avoided with proper technique.  Treat the brats with care.  Don't puncture them or squeeze them too hard.  If you see a flare-up developing, quickly move brats away from the flames if you can, immediately close grill cover and close vents for a minute or so.  Some folks control flare-ups with a spray bottle of water.  I find that a spray bottle is unnecessary, if you are prepared to move quickly and use proper technique..
  4. When brats are done, hold them in the "batter" until ready to eat.  Serve on a brat bun, dressed with your favorite condiments and accompanied with classic Wisconsin side dishes.
Batter For 10 brats:
  • 3 bottles or cans beer
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 stick (or more!) butter
Mix ingredients and bring to a simmer.  Hold grilled bratwurst in batter until ready to eat.  Do not let sauce boil. *Note:  Some folks add a step at the beginning of this recipe.  The brats are simmered in beer and chopped onion for 20 minutes before grilling.  The simmering liquid is then discarded.  Use fresh beer and onions for the batter.  Since the bratwursts are pre-cooked in the simmering stage, the purpose of the grilling stage is merely to brown the brats and add smoke flavor.  Grilling time can be reduced accordingly.