Grilled Bavarian Bratwurst with Hot Beer Cheese Dip

1. If the beer is cold, pull it out and allow it to come to room temperature. Prepare the onions by slicing them thin. Shred the cheese and set aside in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
2. Preheat your grill to 400°F+ (200°C+). Prepare to use indirect heat by igniting two side-by-side burners or piling charcoal in one half of the grill, leaving the other side without. Place a cast iron dutch oven onto the grill to preheat over direct heat.
3. Once hot, melt the butter in the cast iron, then add the onions. Cook the onions down, caramelizing them slightly. About 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Once the onions have cooked down, add the bratwurst or sausages. Fill the dutch oven with beer until the sausages are submerged. Bring the beer to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook for 20+ minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Once all of the bratwurst or sausages have braised until fully cooked, move the cast iron to the cool side of the grill using heat-resistant BBQ gloves. Transfer the sausages to direct heat to grill until the casings are crisp and charred. Remove all of the onions for serving. Remove all but 1 cup of beer.
7. Meanwhile, add the cream, cheese, mustard, horseradish, paprika, and garlic powder to the beer in the dutch oven. Stir often until the cheese sauce has thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce isn’t thickening, or you get impatient, you can mix the cornstarch with some of your discarded beer. Add about half of the mixture to your simmering beer cheese. If you need more thickening, add the rest.
8. Serve the grilled bratwurst or Oktoberfest sausages with the beer cheese dip along with your favourites like pretzels and raw vegetables.
   Pair this meal with a German Pilsner like Beck’s for a refreshing and herbal accompaniment that pairs beautifully with grilled meats. Another ideal beer for an Oktoberfest meal like this would be a Helles Lager like Löwenbräu. Its light carbonation and balanced citrusy bitterness cut through the fat of the cheese and sausage, restoring the palate between bites. If you wish for an interesting and refreshing cocktail you would find at Oktoberfest celebrations, a Spezi-Meister is just for you. Equal parts cola and orange soda, over ice. Make it alcoholic by adding 1.5 oz (44 ml) of Jägermeister. Garnish with orange slices.

This recipe proves that grilling doesn't stop when summer ends. In fact, we in Canada are just getting warmed up! Rich, hearty, and full of authentic Bavarian flavour, these bratwurst are a delicious way to celebrate fall. Serve everything with a cold German-style lager and enjoy an Oktoberfest-inspired feast right from your barbecue.

What is your favourite way to celebrate Oktoberfest with your BBQ? Share your Oktoberfest recipes, stories, and photos with us on Facebook and Instagram. Use the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrills for a chance to be featured.

Happy Grilling!