In Wisconsin, bratwurst is a favorite food for tailgating, picnics, fairs, holidays, baseball, football and any other time with the possible exception of when we are under a winter storm advisory. Even in the dead of winter groups will be out in front of stores frying out and selling brats for a fund raiser. Frying out is the popular terminology in Wisconsin for grilling out of doors. Germans brought their sausage recipes to Wisconsin when they settled throughout the state in the 1800′s. Bratwurst differs slightly in taste because of the spices and other meat fillers and how fine the pork is ground by the sausage makers. The main ingredient for what having have always considered authentic bratwurst is pork though there are other sausages called bratwurst that are all beef or a mix of various meats other than pork.

Sheboygan, a city of just over 50 thousand people, located on the shores of Lake Michigan half way between the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, is the Bratwurst Capitol of the World. Their Bratwurst Day Festival has been an annual event on the first Saturday in August, for almost 60 years. In the 1950′s Sheboygan crowned a new Miss Bratwurst Queen every year which was a festival highlight. While there is no longer a Miss Bratwurst Queen, a brat eating contest is a big event in the day long celebration. What makes bratwurst unique in Sheboygan is the semmel roll in which they are served. The roll has a thin, crisp crust and soft middle baked in a special oven. There is an indentation running down the middle of the roll so people know which way to put a double brat. While Wisconsin bratwurst can be bought in grocery stores across the country, the roll is a local tradition.

Legend has it that the semmel roll was invented because eating bratwurst with fingers was too messy, especially when one man decided he wanted a pickle on his brat. With the advent of the roll, the sky was, and still is the limit when it comes to piling condiments on a brat. While brat connoisseurs have their favorite brand of bratwurst, the one thing that brings out their distinctive flavor is grilling them over charcoal. Restaurants serving bratwurst will fry them on an indoor charcoal grill. Frying bratwurst in a pan on the stove alters the taste to a, better than most, very big breakfast sausage. Some bratwurst makers now make bratwurst in a patty form to save grilling time. Grilling a link bratwurst takes a minimum of twenty minutes over hot coals. Brats need to be turned regularly and flames doused with water to get an evenly well done, and not burned sausage. Patties are more forgiving, still taste good, but are usually snubbed by traditionalists.

Wisconsin Dells is a vacation destination that each visitor longs to come back to every year. It has three outdoor waterparks, eighteen indoor waterparks, the breathtaking dells area of the Wisconsin River as well as a number of other attractions that makes the Dells the most perfect vacation destination. The Dells is known for its outdoor adventure, indoor recreation, museums, natural and wilderness areas plus much more, making it one of the recommended options for a family holiday, for romantic vacation or group getaway.

Over the years the Dells progressed into a recognized vacation spot. The Dells can be found in the south central region of Wisconsin and its community sits upon the Wisconsin River is in close proximity to a sandstone gorge. According to the Dells’ history, the sandstone gorge was carved and shaped by glaciers a long time ago. In today’s times, the sandstone gorge is a legendary attraction liked by both travelers and locals alike. Known as the Waterpark Capital of the World, the Dells’ first waterpark was opened up in the late 1970s. Over several years later seventeen outdoor waterparks were made and opened for visitors. The numerous things to do and enjoyable activities in the Dells made a whole lot of travelers attracted to visit the place and visitors happy with the type of vacation they chose to take.

Wisconsin Dells is not only about waterparks. One can also enjoy a great number of attractions as well as exciting activities year round in the Dells such as picturesque boat tours, have a picnic in state parks, hiking and cross-country skiing in state parks, ride in a horse carriage and horse riding, outdoor camping, fishing, kayaking, museums, live shows, magic shows, night spots, great places to eat, play golf, bowling or arcade games and shopping. Whatever you desire for an ideal family vacation Wisconsin Dells indeed have it. All it will take is just one visit to Wisconsin Dells to know what the fuss is mostly about.