North Country Smokehouse

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the North Country Smokehouse Uncured Harpoon IPA Beer Bratwurst Sausage falls short of being a cleaner food option. The product is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients, which significantly impacts its score on our scale. Additionally, the inclusion of added sugars, specifically cane sugar, further detracts from its healthfulness.

The sausage is made with natural pork and flavored with Harpoon IPA beer, which brings together water, hops, barley, and yeast, along with cane sugar and citrus pectin. The presence of cane sugar not only serves as an added sugar but also represents a more harmful type, leading to a more severe deduction in our rating system. Alongside these ingredients, the sausage contains sea salt, a blend of spices, onion powder, and vinegar. The spices include white pepper, caraway, chili flakes, marjoram, coriander, and nutmeg, which are natural flavor enhancers.

The label also indicates the product contains wheat, which is important for consumers with dietary restrictions to note. The use of non-organic ingredients and GMOs reflects a missed opportunity for the brand to align more closely with cleaner food practices. Consumers seeking out products with minimal processing and without genetically modified organisms will find this product does not meet those standards.

The North Country Smokehouse Uncured Harpoon IPA Beer Bratwurst Sausage has room for improvement. To achieve a higher rating, the product would benefit from the use of organic pork, the elimination of GMOs, and the removal of added sugars, particularly cane sugar. Our assessment aims to guide consumers towards healthier choices by highlighting the importance of cleaner ingredients and transparent labeling. This product’s score reflects its position relative to these values.