10th Berliner Bratwurstmeisterschaft

Bratwurst. Germany's most celebrated food. No matter what the event, somewhere there will be someone grilling sausages to serve to the hungry masses. Yesterday, the event revolved around the food itself. It was the 10th Berliner Bratwurstmeisterschaft. Yes. Yes. Yes. It was time to vote for the best sausage in the city, in the county, heck, there was even an outer region category (with only one contender. They won). I was most excited, though, about the 'creative' sausages. Marzipan and chilli sausages. Pumpkin and mango sausages. Orange and cinnamon sausages. Some where blackened and finely ground in their skins (the spinach and cheese ones), some were too big for their rolls and chunky (the apple and coriander ones).

Apple and walnut sausage

The question that quickly arose was: How many bratwursten can you eat in one day? There were a few moments where the sausage makers would hand out bits of sausage for free, and thousands of people milled around the stands, toothpick in hand, to try a slice of the different options and choose their favourite. But for the full works, the wurst, a roll and a dollop of mustard, you had to buy whole ones. I managed two. I suspect other people were better trained. When looking around there were people biting in sausages as far as the eye could see. It was an intriguing sight.

Apple and coriander sausage

At the time of the awards ceremony, ten proud Fleischmeister* stood on stage next to the mayor of Berlin-Steglitz, listened to the presenter's bad jokes and posed this way and that for the keen amateur photographers in the audience. I left happy (my favourite, the apple and coriander wurst, won the 'creative' award) but also slightly confused: why would a merguez win in the Berliner bratwurst category? I had expected the Germans to be more, well, anal about such things. But I'm not complaining. I now know where to go when the weather finally turns spring-like and I'll be having my first balcony bbq: fleischerei Genz in Marienfelde.

* A Fleischmeister is a meat master or master butcher. What a great German word that is. Why would you want to be a mere butcher if you can become a Fleischmeister?