Esper Wins In Brat-Eating Debut

Snowbird, UT Never before in his illustrious eating career had Geoffrey “Geoff” Esper faced down the mighty bratwurst in sanctioned competition. Not that it mattered much at the 2018 installment of the Snowbird Bratwurst Eating Championship: On debut in the discipline, the world’s #3-ranked eater put away 33 4.5oz brats—big boys—in 10 minutes. He was, as we have become accustomed of late, supremely composed, smooth, fluid and powerful. It was a damn pleasure to watch, frankly. Sorry for the cussing.

Esper’s golden 2018 continues. He is the master of his destiny, it would seem. Esper finished just one-and-a-half brats shy of the record in this discipline—34.5 4.5oz brats in 10 minutes, set by Gideon Oji at the 2017 Snowbird event. Oji would finish in second today with 24 brats; Miki Sudo would have to settle for third, with 21. Michelle Lesco, who, like Esper, also made her brats debut at the event, finished in fourth with 19.5. Make of that what you will. Others ate less.

But the real winners today? Every single person in attendance—those at the table, your humble host, the crowd, even those foolish enough to be at Snowbird at the same time as our fair sport but who chose other entertainment options instead, such as taking in a recital by skilled Alpine horn players far away from the contest stage. Even them. Snowbird’s Oktoberfest attracts over 60,000 visitors and was voted one of America's 10 Best Oktoberfests by Men's Journal Magazine. And, well, Men’s Journal is right: Snowbird’s Oktoberfest is a perfect slice of alpine merriment. How could it not be, nestled as it is high in the mountains, glowing in the late summer sun? MLE members who have not competed in this event might wish to re-evaluate for the future. The place is stunning.

In closing, and not to nitpick with our friends at Men’s Journal, but the August 2018 issue features the coverline: “28 Ways To Upgrade Your Grill Game.” Might we suggest but one: If you're hosting, cook more good food, please. No need to get more complicated than that, people.

Life can be easy if you want it to be: A mountain paradise, delicious brats, golden light, and the company of good men and women. We need no more.

Full Results! 1 Geoff Esper 33 4.5oz brats in 10 min 2 Gideon Oji 24 3 Miki Sudo 21 4 Michelle Lesco 19.5 5 Ryan Rodacker 10.5 6 Russ Adair 10.25 7 Scott Rubin 7.5 8 Jonny Dingo 6 9 Darin Hanson 5.25 10 Luke Mulholland 3.75 11 Brooke Mangum 3