Johnsonville Big Taste Grill Heats Up for 2014 Tour

SHEBOYGAN, Wis., April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill™ begins its annual nationwide tour this weekend, starting at the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, April 5. Providing more than just tasty-tailgate sausages at special events and retail locations across the country, the Big Taste Grill also raises money for local charities.

To date, the Big Taste Grill program has raised more than $3.5 million for a variety of charities nationwide, many of them local community organizations. In 2013 alone, the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill raised more than $130,000 for different organizations nationwide and served 121,325 brats during its 9-month tour.

"For Johnsonville, The Big Taste Grill tour is an annual tradition that combines our love of grilling with our passion for local activism," said Ron Schroder, senior brand manager. "The tour not only brings Johnsonville sausage to grilling enthusiasts around the country, it also helps them support the charities that matter in their communities."

The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill is not your average backyard barbecue. Weighing more than 53,000 pounds and measuring 65 feet long, this giant grill can keep 12 grillmasters busy cooking more than 750 brats at a time. A semi-truck pulls the grill cross-country and the whole system is self-sufficient with hot and cold running water, electricity, sound system, a prep station, and a refrigeration unit.

Johnsonville welcomes Tucker May as the Big Taste Grill's new tour manager and Grillmaster. Among other duties, Tucker, will keep a brat counter as he eats his way across the US, assisting charities with fundraising at each event.

This year, the Big Taste Grill will visit nearly every region in the continental United States. Some key events include:

• Cooper River Bridge Run – April 5 in Charleston, S.C.
• Sandfest – April 11-13 in Port Aransas, TX
• Sweetwater Fest – April 18-20 in Atlanta, GA
• Rivers & Spires Festival – April 24-16 in Clarksville, TN
• RiverFest – May 23-25 in Little Rock, Ark.
• Safeway BBQ Battle – June 21-22 in Washington, D.C.

Meet the new Grillmaster, watch his coronation into his new role, follow his journey and learn where the Big Taste Grill will be at www.bigtastegrill.com.

About Johnsonville Sausage, LLC

Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the No. 1 national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links, fresh breakfast sausage and meatballs. Johnsonville employs approximately 1,400 members. Each member takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and "Big Flavor" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by the late Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today.

For additional Johnsonville company information, the latest recipes, contests and the Big Taste Grill tour schedule, visit www.johnsonville.com.

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SOURCE Johnsonville Sausage, LLC