Tailgating Ideas – Don't Just Tailgate, Tailgate Better

Bacon…  Cheddar…  Those two words alone are usually enough to catch my ear when describing food.  Well the good folks over at Johnsonville decided to put both of them into their new Bacon and Cheddar Grillers.  So when they asked if I’d like to give them a try I answered with a resounding “Yes!”   The Bacon and Cheddar Grillers are half of the new burger patty line making their debut for this year’s grilling season.  The other half is a mushroom and swiss flavor, but I’ll be covering those in a later post.

Now I’ve been known to cook bacon right at my tailgate site in a cast iron skillet.  While few things can beat the sound and smell of bacon frying away, virtually nothing can top the the joy of that first bite of salty pork goodness.  However the upside of doing this comes with some negatives.  First of all it’s more to pack.  Second, you have to figure out what to do with the grease.  And lastly, you may have to do some extra cleaning when you get home.  Is it worth the hassle?  Sure. On occasion it’s not a big deal.  Would I do it, or is it practical for every tailgate?  No, probably not.

Well what’s neat about this product is that instead of having to put bacon and cheddar on top of your burger, Johnsonville has put them in to the pattie for you.  For tailgaters this means that you won’t have to worry about preparing/packing those things separately, and there isn’t any more clean up than you would have with regular burgers.

To test these I decided I would use my Weber Q which is my go to tailgating grill.  Because I opted not to thaw the Grillers before use I set the burner to a medium low as not to burn the heck out of the outside while I waited for the inside to come up to temp. As soon as the Grillers hit the grate I could immediately smell that bacon aroma.  I also took the opportunity to look at the cheese which was quite visible throughout the meat.  After about 18 minutes over the heat, the directions called for well done, I pulled the patties.  You can see by the pic, these browned up pretty nice.

For tasting purposes I decided to take a minimalist approach to toppings and such.  I just went with a little mayo and some black pepper on the bun.  The meat was very juicy and all of the flavors you would expect were there.  The texture of the meat was a little different than I expected, but that is most likely due to the fact that these are made of pork rather than beef.   Unfortunately all of the samples were eaten before having a chance to really experiment with various toppings.  I will say that since you’re getting a head start with the cheese and bacon inside the burger already, you could bring some other flavors to the mix without making the burger too big or unruly.

Since the Bacon and Cheddar Grillers bring real bacon and cheddar flavor to the party without the need for additional packing or prep I am deeming these as “Tailgate Approved.”  Bacon and Cheddar Grillers come in boxes of six patties, and should be available at your local supermarket.  To learn more about Johnsonville products you can visit their website at www.johnsonville.com.  They also have a pretty active social media presence on Twitter @JvilleGrilling and on Facebook.

When it comes to tailgating there are a number of things on short supply. Running water and electricity are two of those things. And although running water is the most rare commodity while tailgating, the dearth of power in the parking lots has been solved by bringing portable generators to stadiums and arenas. The main problem with generators? They are typically big, bulky, emit noxious fumes and the most annoying aspect, they are typically loud.

Go anywhere in the tailgating parking lots and the generator you will see most is the Honda EU series. Honda struck gold when they rolled out the EU series with the highly desirable combination of fuel efficiency and noise reduction. But with high quality came a hefty price tag. For example, the Honda EU2000i Generator typically costs $1,300 but you know what they say, “You get what you pay for”. The Honda EU Series became the de facto gold standard by which all portable generators were judged based on the muffler and lack of noise output.

We recently had the opportunity to test and review the Ryobi RYI 2200 Digital Inverter Generator and put it through its paces in a simulated tailgating environment. Naturally we wanted to compare it to a Honda EU series generator to see how it stacks up side by side when it comes to noise output. Here is the video review we put together comparing the Ryobi RYI 2200 to a Honda EU 1000i generator.

(Disclaimer: We received a sample Ryobi RYI 2200 for free. The fact this sample was provided without charge in no way influenced our opinion of the product nor did it impact our ability to test and review the Ryobi RYI 2200 fairly and objectively.)

If you chose to skip the video, it is safe to say the Ryobi RYI 2200 is “Tailgate Approved”. In the video we compared the Ryobi generator to a Honda EU 1000 generator. Although it was not an apples to apples comparison seeing how the Ryobi puts out a maximum wattage twice that of the Honda we were comparing it to, that was by design. Common reasoning would assume that a generator that puts out double the wattage would in turn, produce twice the noise. That was not the case with the Ryobi. We found the Ryobi RYI 2200 to be just as quiet as the Honda and the added bonus is that the maximum load is 2200 watts compared to just 1000 watts.

Here are some specs for those of you wanting the low down on all the features of the Ryobi RYI 2200:

Running Watts / Starting Watts: 1800W / 2200W
Voltage / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Rated Amperage: 15 Amp AC, 7.5 Amp DC
Engine: 106cc OHC 4 Cycle
Starting: Recoil
Fuel Tank: 1 Gallon
Run Time 2.5 hrs @ Full Load / 5 hrs @ 50% Load
Outlets: (2) 120V AC 20 Amp, (1) 12 V DC 7.5 Amp, Parallel Kit Capable
Weight: 51 lbs.

Another great feature of the Ryobi that we found to be superior to the Honda is that is comes with rear wheels and a telescoping luggage handle that allows for ease of transportation. The handles on the top allow it to be easily moved into place once you are parked but the rear wheels makes it a breeze to roll it to the opposite end of your vehicle and away from your tailgate party guests.

Now comes the real clincher. The Ryobi RYI 2200 sells for nearly half the cost of the Honda EU 2000i. Exclusively sold through Home Depot, the Ryobi RYI 2200 sell for around $599.00. Compare that to the Honda EU 2000i that normally sells for around $1,300. (A quick search on Amazon.com and we found one priced at $1,285.74)

Based on the power, fuel efficiency, noise abatement and overall the more affordable price, we are going to deem the Ryobi RYI 2200 definitely “Tailgate Approved”.

The added power and functions of this generator and the ability to be a good tailgating neighbor with low noise output, we are now considering the Ryobi will be a replacement for the Honda EU 1000 as our “go to” generator for future tailgate parties. The ability to watch the early games on TV and still be able to mix up a batch of margaritas in a blender without worrying about maxing out the power load on the generator makes for a more enjoyable tailgate party.

To learn more about the Ryobi RYI 2200 visit, ryobitools.com. To buy one of your own, visit HomeDepot.com or just walk into your local Home Depot and head towards the tools aisle.

Tailgating is also known as pre-partying. After all, you are having a party in the parking lot before some sort of an event like a concert or sporting event. Naturally when you are grilling and drinking before the main event, it can evolve into pre-partying. But what happens when you want to pre-party your pre-party? You get the Shower Beer Buddy, of course.

The Shower Beer Buddy is basically a cup holder, in the shape of a busty woman wearing a bikini top, that suctions onto any flat surface and is strong enough to hold a full can of beer. So when you have that invite to a tailgate party and you are not the driver and want to have a beer or two in the shower while getting ready, the Shower Beer Buddy eliminates a lot of problems.

Some may ask, if you are going to have a beer in the shower, why not place it on a ledge or in one of those shampoo caddies? Here is the problem with those. Finding ledge space might be difficult and even if you do find space, knocking your beer over might be a potential hazard. Also getting warm shower water and even worse, soapy water in your beer is just plain gross.

The Shower Beer Buddy gets your beer up and out of the way from shower water diluting your beer and warming it up and keeps it safe and secure. Take a look at their instructional video on how to properly use the Shower Beer Buddy.

So no that you know what the Shower Beer Buddy is designed for, let’s talk about our own findings and how the Shower Beer Buddy does in a tailgating environment.

We tested the Shower Beer Buddy in it’s “natural” environment, in the bathroom and also on the side of our tailgating vehicle. The suction cup on the Shower Beer Buddy is quite strong and with some moisture to create a tight seal, holds onto any flat surface very well. The glass shower door was a perfect spot for it along with the shower itself next to the shower head.

We also found that an additional use for the Shower Beer Buddy could be out in the tailgating parking lot. The glass windows of your car make a perfect spot for the Shower Beer Buddy and allow for your can or bottle to be elevated up and out of the way off of your unfolded tailgate or on your tailgating table. The stability of your can or bottle in the Shower Beer Buddy stuck onto your car ensures your beer won’t get knocked over. Take a look at the photos we shot of the Shower Beer Buddy on our car on both the side windows and stuck to the side of the vehicle too.

As you can see in the gallery, The Shower Beer Buddy sticks to the flat surfaces of your tailgating vehicle and can hold a 12 oz can. Our apologies to the Shower Beer Buddy folks for not putting a beer in there which they clearly state in the above video, but you get the point that a full can is going to be safe and secure in the Shower Beer Buddy even if it is out of the shower.

After testing it out we are definitely labeling the Shower Beer Buddy “Tailgate Approved“.

It is easily portable, fits nicely in any tailgating kit, works great both indoors and out and at under $10 per unit, is very affordable. To learn more about the Shower Beer Buddy or to buy one of your own, visit: ShowerBeerBuddy.com

I still remember the crick in my arm. Driving down to the Wells Fargo Center to tailgate before a concert, my friend and I were trying to secure a large plywood board on the roof by sticking our hands out the windows and holding it down. We weren’t all that confident with our tie-job, and as we picked up speed, the wind was threatening to blow the plywood right down the middle of Broad Street. It was a stressful drive, and we kept hoping for red lights so we could relax our arms. Eventually we made it to the parking lot, lugged a bunch of cinder blocks out of the trunk, and placed our table on top. By the time we had the cups set up, I was sweaty and ready to just relax. Beer Pong shouldn’t be this hard.

I kept having flashbacks to that day the first time I broke out MegaPongo, the portable beer pong set. With a last minute ticket offer to the Phillies game, I headed straight to the stadium without the normal planning that goes into a tailgate. But with MegaPongo, that didn’t matter. The entire kit fits in your trunk as easily as a set of washers or bocce balls, so I had the set all ready to go. I ended up parking a few lots away from my friends, but the design is so light, there was no issue carrying it around with me. The portability of MegaPongo makes it worth the money alone, but there are some really great features in addition to its convenient packaging. (Click images for larger view)

As I made my way through the parking lot full of cornhole and ladder golf set-ups, I was enjoying the quizzical looks I was getting. What is that? I heard a few people ask. By the time my friends and I had set it up (which is an extremely easy process), we were getting a lot more than just curious glances. “That is the greatest thing I have ever seen,” proclaimed one enthusiastic Phillies fan. Many stopped for an admiring glance or to ask me where I got this sweet game from. And a few took pictures of the game, along with a few shots of us in action (I hope my form was okay!).
MegaPongo makes bringing beer pong to the party extremely easy. No more tying down plywood or storing cinder blocks in your trunk. You can have a game going minutes after arriving at the beach or barbecue. But other than the convenience of transporting it, MegaPongo has some other great features that any beer pong fan will enjoy. The carrying case doubles as the “table,” and the holes for the cups make sure that the wind will not blow them away. If you have ever chased a red cup down a parking lot aisle or tried to wipe off all the grains of sand when it falls at the beach, you will appreciate this feature. Also, since there is no actual table, you don’t have to worry about the playing surface being covered in beer after a few rounds.

The funnel system is also pretty fantastic. Most shots that do not end up in a cup will bounce around, Plinko-style, until they fall down one of the holes, through a mesh net, and into a large cup just waiting for it. This is true even for shots a little off-the-mark, as the backboard is able to corral a lot of the wayward shots. At one point, my partner and I moved away from the game to catch the last of the remaining sunlight. We casually sipped our beers and watched our opponents shoot – and miss. Instead of chasing the balls around the parking lot, we simply walked back to the game and collected them from the cup underneath the board, actions that would be unheard of in any normal outdoor beer pong game.

When playing MegaPongo, you can tell its inventors are fans of beer pong. The playing surface is large enough to allow for multiple types of racks and re-racks, there is a place for your water cup, and the instructions come with tons of fantastic twists to traditional beer pong. I have to say, I was very impressed with MegaPongo and did not find many negatives. The backboard and funnel system do prevent a majority of the balls from bouncing away, but there are still going to be shots that get away from you. I found it to be much less than in a normal game. While the lack of a table does prevent bouncing, there are plenty of other ways to add variety and individuality to the game. Some unique games, like “Around the World” are possible, and it will be up to you to decide if bank shots are allowed. The price is a little on the high end for portable beer pong, but in my opinion it is definitely worth it. The playing surface is very stable, the game is extremely lightweight and easy to set up and break down, and you will feel very good about yourself knowing you have a game of beer pong ready to go at anytime. Just add beer!

MegaPongo costs $135.00 plus shipping and to learn more or buy a game set for yourself, visit: MegaPongo.com.

Watercooler talk in North Carolina during the month of March is usually dominated by College Hoops.  Considering 5 teams from the state made the men’s tournament this year it’s no surprise why it’s such a hot topic.  Well it turns out that the good folks over at Johnsonville also get into the March Madness spirit, so they reached out to us on the Big Taste Grillers Panel about coming up with a new recipes to have on game days.

Since I’ve had a bit of fascination with BBQ lately I decided to combine a little of the North Carolina BBQ flavors with the already proven deliciousness of Johnsonville Bratwurst.   For those of you who may not know, NC BBQ varies quite a bit depending on where you’re at in the state.  From my own experiences I’ve found that most of the natives are quite protective of their regions take on the food.  However in the “Triangle”, where Duke, NC State, and UNC Chapel Hill can be found, the regions overlap a little.  Because of this I decided to put my spin on a BBQ sandwich combining a little of both styles of NC ‘cue. Below you’ll see my recipes for the condiments of this particular sandwich.

Eastern Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

• 1 1/2 Cups Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 tsp Hot Sauce
• 2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
• 2 tsp Black Pepper

Mix all ingredients together and keep in sealed container.  Best if made at least 24 hours in advance.  I like to shake it up periodically, just whenever I think about it.  Not sure if that makes any noticeable difference, but it’s worked well for me.

Western Carolina (Lexington) Style Red BBQ Slaw

• 1/2 Lbs Cabbage
• 3 Tbsp Ketchup
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 TBsp Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flake

Chop cabbage into fine pieces.  I’ve found a food processor makes life much easier.  Mix all ingredients together well.  Again best if made at least 24 hours in advance.  I would estimate that this makes about 2 cups of slaw.

To prepare the Brats I wanted to try something new.  To get a little more of that BBQ feel I decided to smoke the sausages a little to see what would happen.  Basically all I did was to get some charcoal started,  for this project I used Kingsford Blue Bag, and set up my grill for indirect cooking.  Once the coals were nice and hot I set the sausages on the indirect heat side of the grill, threw a handful of wood chips on the coals, and shut the lid.  After about 10 minutes I flipped the brats over and added a little more wood if the first batch had already burned off.  At the 20 minute mark they had taken on a nice reddish color and the casings had gotten nice and crisp.  All that was left was to put them over the fire for a second to get a little char on there and that was it.  Once they were done I split them down the middle, gave them a few good squirts of the BBQ sauce, threw them on a bun, and topped them with a spoonful of the slaw.

While no one is likely to confuse this for a more conventional NC BBQ sandwich you do get some elements of them.  The meat is completely different but it does work very well with these flavors.  The slaw has a little sweetness and the acid from the vinegar cuts through some of the richness of the brat.

If you’re not a fan of smoked sausage I’m sure these would be just fine on a brat that had been cooked more conventionally.  The recipes for the sauce and slaw would also be good to keep around if you decide to cook up a pork butt someday.