A review of five unusual brat flavors

Creativity, however crazy, still needs to taste good. We brought five bratwurst flavors to a family reunion and prepared them according to Grundhofer's instructions: Grilled, turning often, for about 15 minutes. Never, he pleads, ever boil a brat.

Here's how they went down.

Turkey Stuffing and Gravy: A nice, well-seasoned bratwurst, although nothing to make you seek out Black Friday sales.

Crab and Butter: A finely textured brat, rich flavor with a faint whiff of the sea.

Gummi Bear (pictured): Delivers nuggets of Gummi Bear flavor amid savory sausage, a combo that most were amazed to find they liked.

Philly Cheese Steak: The most favored by far, with bits of red and green pepper and pockets of cream cheese creating an attractive and flavorful brat.

Banana Cream Pie: Opinions split dramatically on this one. The lovers loved it, the haters hated it. But most found it intriguingly tropical.

KIM ODE