Bratwurst

[Bronx33]

I found this link looking for a recipe, way to much info to post ( but it looks promising) http://www.bratwurstpages.com/brats.html

[ksBRONCOfan]

I stab my brats with a fork twice before placing them in the pot. I add enough water to cover and start them on the heat. I put chopped up onion, couple garlic cloves, whole peppercorns and a bay leaf in the mix. I do bring to a full boil (never had any casings burst). I boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Then I throw them on the grill over medium heat and let them get that nice grilled brown on the outside. I try to only turn them over once while on the grill. When they are done they are just full of juice and flavor. There is usually big bubbles of juice in the casings just waiting to be bit into so the piping hot juices squirt you in the face. (that sounds wrong)

I used to use beer, but quickly decided that it was a waste of beer.

[Arkansas Bronco]

I used to use beer, but quickly decided that it was a waste of beer.

I love boiling them in beer but I look at my beer stash half the time and say na ill just use water. Ive used a dry rub on em several times (put on after the boil of course) and that gives em a little spice kick.

[Rock Chalk]

I will not eat a brat unless its boiled in beer.

If you are too cheap to afford 3 beers for the brat boil you shouldnt be allowed to cook, for anyone, ever.

[ksBRONCOfan]

I will not eat a brat unless its boiled in beer.

If you are too cheap to afford 3 beers for the brat boil you shouldnt be allowed to cook, for anyone, ever.

meh. I've found that with the way I boil them someone would never tell wether I used beer or water.

[yerner]

See, I've found the secret is to put them in a beer bath AFTER they come off the grill. You can char the hell out of them and the come back to life soaking in delicious beer. Taste the beer more too. Truth is, I boil them in beer. Grill. Then put them back in the beer pot.

[CHEF LUIGI]

I stab my brats with a fork twice before placing them in the pot. I add enough water to cover and start them on the heat. I put chopped up onion, couple garlic cloves, whole peppercorns and a bay leaf in the mix. I do bring to a full boil (never had any casings burst). I boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Then I throw them on the grill over medium heat and let them get that nice grilled brown on the outside. I try to only turn them over once while on the grill. When they are done they are just full of juice and flavor. There is usually big bubbles of juice in the casings just waiting to be bit into so the piping hot juices squirt you in the face. (that sounds wrong)

I used to use beer, but quickly decided that it was a waste of beer.

your casing do not burst because you pierce them first.
I reccomend you grill the pierced brats first, just brown them a few minutes, each side, then braise them in beer. working on a grill you can brown the brats, put them in a pan with some onions, also browned and then cover with beer, use a cheap beer, just not a bad/ rancid beer.
when its time to serve take them out of the beer broth and put them back on the grill for a few minutes92-3) DEOENDING ON HOW DONE THE BRAT OWNER WANTS THEM.
add some of those onions in the beer broth too.
FWIW, i reccomend earl cambell hot links in addition to brats, they are the best gameday sausage I have ever encountered, great taste and value too !

[CHEF LUIGI]

See, I've found the secret is to put them in a beer bath AFTER they come off the grill. You can char the hell out of them and the come back to life soaking in delicious beer. Taste the beer more too. Truth is, I boil them in beer. Grill. Then put them back in the beer pot.

BINGO !

[CHEF LUIGI]

the ONLY time I use a fork when grilling is when I do BRATS.
pierce before you grill and once again when the final grilling takes place.
always brown your meats before you braise or broil them.
grill or sautee those onions before you add them to the beer bath.


THERE IS NO NEED TO BOIL THE BRATS, the pre grilled brats should just simmer in a beer broth with a temperature above 140 but no hotter than 180.
when you are ready to serve a brat, pull it from the broth, throw it back on the grill, and serve it hot and charred and ready for mustard.
happy grilling !

[CHEF LUIGI]

meh. I've found that with the way I boil them someone would never tell wether I used beer or water.

the acid in the beer actually helps to render the fats and diminish the CHAR
the alcohoil in the beer will also help to control any bacteria growth during the cooking process.
there is practical food science behind adding beer to your broth, in addition to traditional and ceremonial applications.
2 beers to every gallon of water will work fine for hoplding pre grilled brats until they are ready to finish.