NFL Playoffs “Cooking With Beer” – Bell’s Amber Ale Bratwurst Hoagies

Festive foods take on new meaning when made with serious beer. And who doesn’t enjoy a bratwurst hoagie, when you’re rooting for your favorite football team this weekend? Especially when the sausage has been simmering in a rich Amber Ale.

This football-ready recipe uses a darker beer, which can encompass a whole spectrum of styles, including Amber Ales, Schwarzbier, Bock, Doppelbock, and Munich Dunkel lagers

Basically you’re looking to braise your bratwurst in a beer with a modest bitterness, and the nuanced sweetness that comes with these more malt-forward, beer styles.

We used Bell’s Amber Ale, a 5.8% year-round  from the renowned Midwest brewery with sweet toasty caramel notes from its carefully selected malts. Capped off by the moderate bitterness we were looking for, it’s incredibly versatile beer for cooking , and very tasty on its own.

This Grand Rapids, Michigan brewed classic (which is widely available) really adds something special to the bratwurst.

So let’s do this…

Amber Ale Braised Bratwurst

Ingredients:

• 6 bratwurst sausages
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) Bell’s Amber Ale
• 6 hoagie rolls (your call, but the bread is important)
• Mustard and sauerkraut, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until the onions are softened and caramelized.
2. Stir in the caraway seeds and cook for another minute.
3. Add the bratwursts to the skillet, searing them on all sides.
4. Pour the craft beer over the bratwursts and bring to a simmer.
5. Cover the skillet and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the bratwursts are cooked through.
6. Serve the bratwursts on hoagie rolls with the caramelized onions, mustard, and sauerkraut.

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