GRILLED OR PANROASTED BRATWURST WITH BEER, MUSTARD, AND SAUERKRAUT Either method produces great results for these beercooked brats, allowing the flavors of the sausage and beer to mingle and marry SERVES 4 TO 6 One 1-pound package sauerkraut, with its liquid A few sprigs fresh thyme ½ cup lager-style beer 2 pounds Bratwurst-Style Sausage (here), stuffed into casings (6 to 8 links), or about 2 pounds store-bought bratwurst Spicy whole-grain mustard 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (if cooking on the stovetop) Crusty hoagie rolls, toasted TO COOK ON THE GRILL Ignite a chimneyful of charcoal When the briquettes are coated in gray ash, pour out and distribute evenly over one side of the grill Or, if using a gas grill, heat one set of burners to high and leave the others off Clean the grilling grate Place the sauerkraut, thyme, and beer in a disposable aluminum foil pan and nestle the sausages in it Place the pan on the hot side of the grill and cook until simmering, about minutes Slide to the cooler side of the grill, cover the grill, with the vented part of the lid positioned over the sausages, and cook, with all the vents open, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausages registers 140° to 145ºF, about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through Remove the lid Using tongs, remove the sausages from the pan and place on the hot side of grill Cook, turning occasionally, until well browned and crisp, about minutes total Return to the pan and allow to rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes, then serve with the toasted rolls TO COOK ON THE STOVETOP Combine the sauerkraut, thyme, and beer in a 12-inch sauté pan and stir well Nestle the sausages in the mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover, and cook, turning the sausages occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausages registers 140° to 145°F, about 12 minutes Remove the sausages from the pan; keep the sauerkraut mixture warm Heat the oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally; until browned on all ... and leave the others off Clean the grilling grate Place the sauerkraut, thyme, and beer in a disposable aluminum foil pan and nestle the sausages in it Place the pan on the hot side of the grill and cook until simmering,... minutes Slide to the cooler side of the grill, cover the grill, with the vented part of the lid positioned over the sausages, and cook, with all the vents open, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part... an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausages registers 140° to 145ºF, about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through Remove the lid Using tongs, remove the sausages from the pan and place on the hot