MIDDLETON — The exceptional quality of Alpine Boy sausage products hand crafted at Gempeler’s Supermarket, Monticello, Wisconsin, was recognized at the 86th annual convention of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP) held at the Marriott Madison West in Middleton April 11 and 12.
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 five judging categories. Gempeler’s Alpine Boy Fresh Wisconsin Style Bratwurst won the Grand Champion award in the fresh traditional bratwurst category. Ken also received the Grand Champion award in the restructured jerky category for Gempeler’s Alpine Boy Beef Strips. Gempeler’s Big Bologna received the Champion award in the large-diameter lunch meat category, and their Natural Casing Wieners and Old Fashioned Loaf received Honorable Mentions in the natural casing wieners and luncheon loaf categories.
Gempeler’s has entered its Alpine Boy products in the WAMP competition in 15 of the past 16 years and in each of those years has won two or more awards.
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 over 800 individual products in 40 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.
Having just celebrated their 53rd year in business on April 10, 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.