Big Taste Grill Begins 2018 Tour

The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill will begin its 24^th annual nationwide tour at Miller Park for the Brewers’ home opener on April 2, in Milwaukee.

The Big Taste Grill’s appearance at Brewers Opening Day will kick off a six-month tour, consisting of more than 50 appearances at community events, festivals, sporting events and retail locations across the country. Since 1995, the Big Taste Grill has not only been sharing the great taste of grilled bratwurst with fans nationwide, but also raising money for local nonprofits, helping those organizations thrive and reinvest in their communities. To date, the Big Taste Grill has raised more than $4 million for charities – and disaster-relief efforts – nationwide.

“The money raised at each event stays right in that community,” said Ron Schroder, senior brand manager at Johnsonville. “The Big Taste Grill gives Johnsonville the opportunity to connect with our consumers in places they love the most.”

Weighing more than 53,000 pounds and measuring 65 feet long, the semi-turned-grill is equipped with four grills, hot and cold running water, electricity, a sound system, a prep station, and a refrigeration unit. The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill has the capacity to cook more than 750 brats at a time—approximately 2,500 per hour—and can accommodate more than 12 “grillmasters.”

About the Big Taste Grill Staff

Suzy Shelstad—the first female Grillmaster in Johnsonville’s history—is back for her second year on the grill. She is a born-and-raised Wisconsin farm girl who grew up cooking and enjoying Johnsonville products and is looking forward to another season on the big rig!

Kyle Myers is also returning this year to drive the Big Taste Grill. One of his favorite parts about the tour is traveling the country sharing Johnsonville products with all the great people he meets along the way. As the Big Taste Grill makes its way across the country, be sure to give Kyle a honk or a wave!

New to the Big Taste Grill team this year is Jay Whetsel. Jay has numerous years behind grills and on the road, and you can always find a Johnsonville product in his fridge. If you see him, be sure to share your favorite grilling story!

You can meet Suzy and the crew and find a complete calendar of where the Big Taste Grill will be heading at www.bigtastegrill.com.

Tour Schedule

To find 2018 tour stops and dates visit www.johnsonville.com/bigtastegrill.html. Or, follow the Big Taste Grill tour adventures weekly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Below are a few of the many events the Big Taste Grill will be present at during 2018:

• Cooper River Bridge Run Charleston, SC April 7

• Food City 500 NASCAR Bristol, TN April 13-15

• Vero Beach Airshow Vero Beach, FL April 21-22

• Race for the Cure Peoria, IL May 4 – May 6

• NASCAR Coca-Cola 800 Charlotte, NC May 26-27

• Giant BBQ Battle Washington DC June 23-24

• Cedar Point Sandusky, OH June 29-July 1

• Coney Island Coney Island, NY July 4

• Brat Days Rockford, IL July 20-21

• Western US from August through September

About Johnsonville Sausage, LLC

Wisconsin-based Johnsonville is the No. 1 national sausage brand, featuring: brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links, breakfast sausage, summer sausage, Grillers and meatballs. Johnsonville products are served in more than 130 professional, college and semi-pro sports stadiums throughout the U.S.

Johnsonville employs approximately 1,800 members. Founded in 1945 by the late Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the privately held company remains family owned today, providing various sausage products in more than 40 countries. For additional information, visit www.johnsonville.com.