Local teams will compete at the annual Sausage Fest at Blue Pants Brewery on Aug. 22. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Local teams will vie for bragging rights with the best-tasting recipe at the annual Sausage Fest on Aug. 22 at Blue Pants Brewery, 500 Lanier Road.

Twelve teams have registered. Event coordinator Allison Spratley will accept three more contestants in the sausage-making competition (bluepantsbrew.com/sausage-fest).

“We’re raising money for a local charity. We hope to have a great turnout of guests just like last year,” Spratley said. Proceeds from ticket sales and “People’s Choice” votes will benefit the transportation fund for Cahaba Shriner’s Hospital.

“We’ll use ground pork from Halsey Food Services. The teams will use their own recipes to flavor the meat to make unique types of sausage,” Spratley said. “Some meat will be cased into sausages for judging. Some meat will be used in other dishes for People’s Choice competition.”

Jerry Burpee, owner of Judgeology Research Institute, will be head judge. Spratley also asked judges from last year and Blue Pants’ owners and customers.

Guests will judge for People’s Choice. “Each guest receives five votes with their ticket” and can purchase additional votes for favorite teams at booths at the festival. “All money collected from these additional votes will go directly” to the fund for Cahaba Shriner’s Hospital, she said.

After cooking all day, teams will submit “Best Sausage” entries to judges at 3 p.m. The public will vote for “People’s Choice” from 4 to 6 p.m.

Local band .45 Surprise will perform during Sausage Fest. “An adults-only cocktail tent will have sausage-themed drinks. Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt will join us,” Spratley said. The awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on the patio.

Competitors will receive $300, $200, $100 and $60, respectively, for the top four places. “We have the double-blind ‘Best Sausage Competition’ by private judges. Additionally, the first-place team in each category will receive a Sausage Fest trophy, made by Woodtech of Huntsville,” Spratley said.

Advance tickets are $7 or $10 at the event. For tickets and information, visit bluepantsbrew.com/sausage-fest.