Leinenkugel’s adds flavor to easy and low-calorie summertime favorite

Just in time for summer grilling, two Upper Midwestern favorites, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and Jennie-O Turkey Store, are introducing the best new product since sliced buns. Leinenkugel’s, the leading craft brewer in the Midwest, has teamed with Jennie-O Turkey Store, to serve up a fully cooked, heat-and-serve turkey bratwurst seasoned with Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat.

The popular summertime grilling favorite has been infused with Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, a Belgian wit style beer that features a citrus character and the gentle spiciness of coriander, a complementary flavor also found in bratwurst. Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat has become one of the fastest growing new beers in the country, and led Leinenkugel’s to expand into more than 40 new markets across the U.S.

The new Jennie-O Turkey Store® Turkey Beer Bratwurst will help Jennie-O Turkey Store continue introducing pork and beef eaters of the Midwest to their extensive line of turkey products. The Leinenkugel’s Jennie-O Turkey Store® Turkey Beer Bratwurst will be available nationwide, but is targeted toward the Upper Midwest market – the nation’s largest consumers of bratwursts and Leinenkugel’s beer.

For fans of backyard grilling and tailgating who may be watching their waistline, the Leinenkugel’s Jennie-O Turkey Store® Turkey Beer Bratwurst touts half the fat of cooked pork brats and only 120 calories, 9 grams of fat, 0 transfat, 10 grams of protein, and 6 carbs.

The Jennie-O Turkey Store® Turkey Beer Bratwursts will be priced as six links per package for $3.79 and will be available at local grocers and supermarkets.

“Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat and Jennie-O’s turkey brats are perfect partners. In the Upper Midwest, most people stew their brats in beer before grilling, so Leinenkugel’s is helping Jennie-O Turkey Store make life easier and tastier for consumers,” says Jake Leinenkugel, fifth generation brewer and president of Leinenkugel’s. “And, like our specialty beer, Jennie-O Turkey Store is crafting a full-flavored great tasting bratwurst – one that’s so low in fat and calories, that there’s plenty of room to enjoy another Leinie’s.”

“Turkey is gaining popularity across the country due to its health benefits and ability to deliver flavor,” adds Mike Tolbert, president of Jennie-O Turkey Store. “Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat gives Jennie-O Turkey Store® Turkey Beer Bratwursts a distinguished, sweet taste that’s extremely satisfying. By introducing this great new brat infused with Leinenkugel’s craft beer, we’re hoping to see a few more turkey followers.”

Leinenkugel’s and Jennie-O Turkey Store have teamed up before, introducing the first fresh Jennie-O Turkey Store® Beer ‘N Turkey Bratwurst in May 2002, which featured Leinenkugel’s Special Ale.

About Leinenkugel’s

Leinenkugel’s, brewed in Chippewa Falls, is the leading craft brewer in the upper Midwest. Leinenkugel’s year-round offerings include Honey Weiss, Sunset Wheat, Berry Weiss, Leinie’s Red, Creamy Dark, Original and Light. In addition to Summer Shandy, Leinenkugel’s offers three other limited-release beers including Big Butt Doppelbock, Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest, and fall favorite Leinenkugel’s Apple Spice. For more information on the rich history of Leinenkugel’s, visit www.leinie.com.

About Jennie-O Turkey Store

Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc., based in Willmar, Minn., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) and is one of the largest turkey processors and marketers in the world. Jennie-O Foods Inc., acquired by Hormel Foods in 1986, was united with The Turkey Store Company in 2001 to create the industry-leading processor and marketer of traditional and value-added turkey products for the retail, foodservice and deli markets.

Offering an array of high quality fresh, frozen, refrigerated and deli turkey products, Jennie-O Turkey Store produces more than 1,300 items, distributing its products throughout the United States and 26 countries. With corporate offices in Willmar, Jennie-O Turkey Store currently employs 7,000 people throughout the United States. For additional information, visit Jennie-O Turkey Store Web site at www.jennieo.com.