(Optional) To enhance the brats’ flavor and texture, preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Briefly grill or sear the bratwursts until they attain a delightful char on all sides. However, if you’d like, you can omit this step.
In your slow cooker, lay out the sliced onions and sprinkle half the brown sugar over them.
Neatly place the grilled/pan-seared bratwursts on the bed of onions.
Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the brats, followed by the butter slices, ensuring they’re evenly distributed.
Gently pour the beer over the layers in the slow cooker, ensuring everything gets a good soak.
Seal the slow cooker with its lid and let it work its magic on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Once done, the brats should be thoroughly cooked, tender, and infused with flavors.
Serve these succulent beer brats nestled in hot dog buns and topped with the flavorful caramelized onions from the slow cooker. Relish every bite!
