By Gary Symons
TLL Editor-in-Chief
There’s a lot riding on the World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays, and now two major food companies are upping the stakes.
Johnsonville and Florida’s Natural have shaken hands on a friendly baseball wager where they’re putting their hometown pride — and a LOT of sausage and orange juice — on the table.
The contest pits two of the country’s favorite food brands against each other..
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville, founded in 1945, is the No. 1 national sausage brand in America, selling and serving more than 80 different varieties of sausage across 40+ countries. Founded in 1933, Florida’s Natural is a top producer of fruit juices, available through grocery and mass retail stores nationwide and in 40 countries globally.
If Milwaukee comes up short in the 2026 World Series, Johnsonville says it will bring its fan favorite brats to Tampa for each of the city’s 413,554 residents.
If Tampa loses, Florida’s Natural will fulfill its end of the bargain by delivering 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, Vice President of Marketing at Johnsonville. “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.”
Florida’s Natural says its not worried about its massive bet on the Rays, even though the Brewers are currently ahead in the series 2-0 after two close games.
“Is this the largest wager of its kind? Maybe,” said Kelly Wade, Director of Marketing of Florida’s Natural. “Milwaukee knows a great brat, but we’re betting Florida’s got the winning recipe. We’re stepping up to the plate with our great-tasting orange juice, and we’re looking forward to a little friendly competition.
Despite the two-game deficit, Wade predicts its Johnsonville that will be feeding hungry Rays fans when the dust settles.
“We just hope our friends at Johnsonville are ready to fire up the grill!” Wade said.
The food and beverage companies say their city-wide wager honors the spirit of competition between two passionate fan bases, both equally eager to take home their first-ever championship win. It also unites two proud hometown brands as they bring a little more flavor to community connection and celebration.
Fans of all teams and tastes can follow the friendly wager on social media using the tag #SausageVsOJ, or visit Johnsonville.com or Floridasnatural.com to get their fill of the brands’ signature products.
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