MIDDLETON — The exceptional quality of Alpine Boy sausage products hand crafted at Gempeler’s Supermarket, Monticello, was recognized at the 85th annual convention of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP) held April 12-13 at the Marriott Madison West in Middleton.

In the Specialty Meats Competition held during the convention, Gempeler’s Alpine Boy products, all hand crafted by Ken Gempeler, co-owner and “chief sausage meister,” were recognized in four judging categories. His Alpine Boy Braunschweiger won Reserve Grand Champion in the Braunschweiger / liver sausage category. He also received Champion awards in the fresh traditional bratwurst category for Gempeler’s Wisconsin Style Fresh Brats, and in the traditional snack sausages category for his Original Beef Snack Sticks. Gempeler’s Alpine Boy Precooked Wisconsin Style Bratwurst received Honorable Mention in the precooked traditional bratwurst category.

Gempeler’s has entered its Alpine Boy products in the WAMP competition in 14 of the past 15 years and has won two or more awards in each of those years.

The WAMP Specialty Meat Competition is the largest of its kind in the United States. This year, meat markets and processing plants located throughout the state entered nearly 900 individual products in 38 judging categories, including summer sausage, bratwurst, ham, bacon, smoked poultry, breakfast sausage, and many others. The judges, who are food scientists, out-of-state meat processors and other food industry professionals, were required to effectively evaluate each entry and score it for external appearance and eye appeal, internal appearance, aroma and taste, using a scale of 1,000 points.

The size of this product show and the quality of the entries demonstrate the important role sausage and processed meats play in Wisconsin’s meat industry and for consumers across the state.

Now in its 53rd year in business, Gempeler’s Supermarket is an independent, family owned and operated full-service grocery store and the home of award-winning Alpine Boy brand sausage products, all hand crafted on site. Other specialties include their full service fresh meat counter, full service deli with daily lunch and dinner features, made-to-order Alpine Boy pizza, a very popular fish fry every Friday all year, a monthly steak fry, and a large selection of locally crafted cheese. More information is available at www.GempelersSupermarket.com.