With the Milwaukee Brewers one win from their first championship, a friendly wager between two hometown food brands is putting sausage and orange juice on the table. Johnsonville is backing Milwaukee in the World Series against Tampa, while Florida’s Natural stands behind the home team.
If Milwaukee comes up short, Johnsonville will bring brats to Tampa, one for each of the city’s 413,554 residents. If Tampa loses, Florida’s Natural will deliver enough orange juice to make 200,000 victory mimosas.
“We have been waiting 44 years to make this wager, so we’re going big,” said Jamie Schmelzer, VP of marketing at Johnsonville, referring to the Brewers’ last World Series trip in 1982. “We’re happy to pay out all those brats if things don’t go our way, and even happier winning all that orange juice. If the Brewers win, there’s going to be a lot of champagne in this town, and Milwaukee is not afraid of a mimosa.”
“Milwaukee knows a great brat, but we’re betting Florida’s got the winning recipe,” said Kelly Wade, director of marketing at Florida’s Natural. “We’re stepping up to the plate with our great-tasting orange juice, and we’re looking forward to a little friendly competition. We just hope our friends at Johnsonville are ready to fire up the grill!”
The citywide wager honors two fan bases chasing their first-ever championship, and fans can follow along on social media using #SausageVsOJ.
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville, founded in 1945, is the No. 1 national sausage brand by its own account, selling more than 80 varieties in more than 40 countries with 4,000-plus employees. Florida’s Natural, founded in 1933, has grown from orange juice into juices, lemonades and blends sold nationwide and in 40 countries.