History of Queen City Sausage

1800

Throughout the century, and for more than 100 years, Cincinnati’s historic West End was known as “Porkopolis,” with over 40 separate shops producing the fine meat products for the rest of the nation. It was the old-world recipes and traditions handed down from generation to generation that made it a meat-packing hub.

1930

Queen City Sausage founder and president, Elmer Hensler was born in the West End, in the middle of nine children. By age 12, Elmer was working and exploring the business of meat.

1965

Elmer Hensler joined forces with Cincinnati’s best “spice man,” Alois Stadler, and master sausage-maker, George Nagel, to create Queen City Sausage. Using authentic German recipes, together they earned a reputation for making the best sausage in all of Porkopolis.

1970/2000

With more than an estimated $10 million reinvested in the most modern equipment and processes and up-to-date campus, over 30 years, Elmer Hensler and his team grew Queen City Sausage more than ten times. The company also earned the coveted USDA federal inspection certification after meeting and exceeding all of the organization’s stringent quality requirements.

2001

Elmer Hensler, the self-made son of Cincinnati’s West End, becomes the sole owner of Queen City Sausage & Provisions Inc. when he buys out his long-time partners. Elmer Hensler fulfills his life-long dream of being a successful-business owner.

2009

More than 15 million Queen City sausage links are crafted. Less than 45 years later, Elmer Hensler’s initial 1965 investment of $13,000 has turned into record sales.

2010

Queen City Sausage Bratwurst becomes the official one of the Cincinnati Reds baseball club. Elmer Hensler looks toward expanding the exciting Reds sponsorship to include the Queen City Mettwurst and other popular sausages.

2011

What was once populated by 40 different meat shops, is now the backdrop to one fine craft sausage-maker. Queen City Sausage is Porkopolis, and no one is more delighted than Elmer Hensler himself. The little meat shop that started with a dream and a whole lot of dedication has transformed into the region’s largest locally-owned and operated sausage producer. At age 81, Elmer is engaged every day like the first to ensure the craft-sausage tradition he defined lives on forever.