Old German Beer Hall Celebrates 21st Annual Fred Usinger Day with Free Brats

Milwaukee establishment honors its German heritage and founder's legacy with annual giveaway.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Old German Beer Hall in Milwaukee is celebrating the 21st annual Fred Usinger Day by giving away free brats to the public. The event honors Fred Usinger, a German immigrant who founded the famous sausage company in 1880. The company is still family-owned and uses the same recipes from all those years ago. The free brat giveaway is a beloved tradition that draws crowds of friends, family, and coworkers to the bar every February 23rd.

Why it matters

The Fred Usinger Day celebration at the Old German Beer Hall highlights the city of Milwaukee's rich German heritage and the enduring legacy of family-owned businesses that have helped shape the local community. In an era of corporate consolidation, the event showcases how small, mission-driven enterprises can thrive by staying true to their roots and values.

The details

The Old German Beer Hall expects to give away around 1,000 free brats topped with all the fixings during this year's Fred Usinger Day celebration. The event was started by former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in 2005 to honor Fred Usinger, the German immigrant who founded the famous sausage company in 1880. The Usinger company remains family-owned and operated to this day, using the same recipes that have been passed down through generations.

  • The 21st annual Fred Usinger Day takes place on February 23, 2026.
  • The free brat giveaway at the Old German Beer Hall starts early in the morning on February 23rd.

The players

Fred Usinger

A German immigrant who founded the famous Usinger's sausage company in Milwaukee in 1880.

Fritz Usinger

The great-grandson of Fred Usinger, who continues the family's commitment to the Milwaukee community.

Old German Beer Hall

A Milwaukee establishment that has been celebrating the annual Fred Usinger Day with a free brat giveaway for the past 21 years.

Tom Barrett

The former mayor of Milwaukee who started the annual Fred Usinger Day celebration in 2005 to honor the city's German heritage.

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What they’re saying

“It's so important to keep your heritage and to keep a little bit alive and and to experience culture.”

— Fritz Usinger, Great-grandson of Fred Usinger

“Fred Usinger today. And you got to start the day with a brat.”

— Unidentified patron

What’s next

The Old German Beer Hall expects to run out of the 1,000 free brats they are giving away, so the public is encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the offer.

The takeaway

The Fred Usinger Day celebration at the Old German Beer Hall is a cherished Milwaukee tradition that honors the city's German heritage and the enduring legacy of family-owned businesses. In a time of corporate consolidation, this event showcases how small, mission-driven enterprises can thrive by staying true to their roots and values.