02/14/2023
Hello all, I am happy to introduce you to Alpine Brats, LLC. I suppose you know of Alpine Sausage Co. Est. 1972. (If not, google: Sausage Denver. It'll be the first search result)
I am the grandson of the original owners. We have a unique story as American as those Roosevelts', and it's just as difficult to explain, so first, I will tell a bit of the story. (ATTENTION: long post) I am writing this as a memorial to all my loved ones. I would not be here without them. I have THAT dream because they gave it to me. For business details w/o the story, scroll to the bottom of the post, please.
In the 50s, my Swiss grandfather was a journeymen butcher traveling post-war Europe, expanding his trade, figuring himself out, and writing everything down. (Mostly quickly, in Swiss, with metric units! Yay, translations and conversions)
In the early 60s, when he became a master butcher, he left his friends and large family for good and moved to the United States with THAT dream. Here he was with $600, a notebook, and his talents. He found work in a slaughter doing the jobs nobody wanted. Perfect place to start. He just needed a good woman to have his back and tell him when he was wrong. At a ball in Golden, He met Mirka.
My grandmother is the Slovenian spitfire that encouraged my grandfather to start something more rewarding. She grew up as a farmer's daughter during Yugoslavian communism (i have no idea what level of education she received). As far as I can remember, she's always spoken English with almost no accent. But from the stories she told, it was hard for her. Honestly, she is hard to charm, devout in her faith, and puts up with zero crap. She came to America as an au pa,ir with THAT dream. After a few years of marriage, her ambition took control of the relationship. She would not let my grandfather take on a partner, and instead, she took on all the administrative work. At the same time, he made the product—a perfect partnership, Nona was the CEO, CFO, COO, the chief executive of the business, and the family... As the matriarch, she is still my boss, dementia is starting to set in, so im turning into a stranger. But she's not a stranger to me.
Thats life
Their life and love story is an inspiration that the American dream still exists. You have to want it more than everyone else. Money will come and go, and If I can keep the traditions alive and pass them on, I will consider my life a success.
I'm delighted to say my grandparents are still around, he (88) enjoys watching cycling, and she's (83) in the garden. Enjoying retirement as they deserve.
The business passed to me two years ago. And I have never been happier. Finally, my work brings rewards. So nothing, Alpine Brats, LLC. Come check me out around town in the food truck or stop at my shop. All are welcome.
Sausage variety:
Smoked German
Cheddarwurst
Jalapeno Cheddarwurst
Swiss Weisswurst
Alpine Brat
Beer Brat
Hatch Green Chili
Hatch Green Chili w/Pepper Jack
Italian Tichinella
Smoked Polish Klobassa
Louisiana Hot Link
Texas Hot Link
Cajun Andouille
Knackwurst
Nurnberger
British Bangers
Bosnian Hot Dog
German Frankfurters
Swedish Potato
Apple Saucisson
Duck à orange
Mediterranean Yakier
Shop location: 1272 W Alaska Pl, Denver, CO, 80223
Food Truck Location: look for posts
Hours: [Winter] Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-4 pm
[Summer] Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Website: www.alpinesausageco.com
Social media: Facebook: Alpine Brats, LLC.
Instagram and Twitter: post to come
