After Thursday Blog about Jalapeno Cheddar Bratwurst, I recieved a bunch of emails regarding sausage casings and where to get them.  FYI- I started to make my own sausages a couple of months back after receiving the sausage making attachment for my Kitchen Aid Mixer, and also after taking a sausage making class at the local Sur La Table.  After learning how to make sausages I wanted to make my own all of the time.  The only problem, where does one get natural sausage casings.  I had no idea.  I searched for hours. 

There are two main sources, local sources and internet sources.  If you are in a pinch or need casings tomorrow use the local sources.  The one caviat is that local sources cost a whole lot more.  If you have a couple of days, I would definately order them online. 

Local Sources

• Butcher shops that make their own sausages.  The butcher will gladly sell you a couple of feet of casings.  The one problem is that most mega marts don’t make their own sausages, so you need to call around or find a butcher shop.
• Gander Mountain (if you live in or around a city).
• Bass Proshop (if you live in or around a city).
• Most outdoor and hunting shops sell them too.

Internet Sources

• Syracuse Casing Company – They make their own casings so they are fresh.  Plus they put the casings on tubes before salting for easy cleaning and mounting onto your sausage horn.

I recommend the Syracuse Casing Company.  They ship fast and provide a fine product.  The other companies online might give a better deal, but they are just reselling a product made and packaged by another company.  If you want to go cheap here are a list of other sites.

• Ask the Meatman
• Harvest Essentials
• The Sausage Maker
• One Stop Jerky Shop