Where is Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon Made? A Look at the History and Production of This Iconic Wisconsin Bacon

Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of bacon lovers across America. Known for its signature smoky flavor, hearty meatiness, and sweet applewood aroma, Nueske’s bacon is a cut above regular mass-produced bacon.

But what makes Nueske’s bacon so special? The answer lies in where and how it’s made. Nueske’s bacon is crafted with pride in Wittenberg Wisconsin using traditional family recipes and time-honored techniques that have been passed down through four generations of the Nueske family since 1933.

A Humble Start in the Midst of the Great Depression

The story of Nueske’s bacon begins during the Great Depression in 1933. At that time, R.C. Nueske was dissatisfied with the quality of smoked meats available in northern Wisconsin. Using old family recipes and techniques brought over from Europe by his ancestors, R.C. Nueske began smoking his own bacon, ham, poultry, and sausages to sell to friends, neighbors, and general stores.

Even in the midst of the Great Depression R.C. Nueske believed his high-quality “fancy meats” would find an audience. He loaded up his truck and took to the roads cheerfully marketing his products to brighten people’s lives during those difficult times.

Passed Down Through Generations But Never Compromised

As R.C. Nueske built up his smoked meat business, he carefully taught his secrets to his son Bob and nephew Jim. This included how to select meats with the ideal leanness and tenderness, blend spices by hand, employ the perfect smoking time and temperature, and most importantly, use glowing natural Applewood embers to imbue the meats with Nueske’s signature smoky flavor.

Over the past 89 years and four generations, Nueske’s has made many updates to modernize their production while still maintaining the highest standards of quality and flavor. Their facilities now use custom-built smokehouses and state-of-the-art packaging equipment. However, their original recipes and techniques remain untouched.

For example, Nueske’s still:

• Imports speciality spices from Europe and blends them by hand
• Uses no binders, fillers, or artificial enhancers
• Employs natural Applewood smoke rather than artificial liquid smoke
• Rejects mass assembly line techniques in favor of small-batch production

This dedication to traditional artisanal methods is why Nueske’s bacon has maintained its impeccable standards of flavor and quality over nearly a century in business.

Produced Today in Wittenberg, Wisconsin

In the 21st century, Nueske’s bacon is still made in the same small town where it all began almost 100 years ago. The Nueske’s factory, smokehouses, and company store are located in Wittenberg, Wisconsin – a tiny town of just 1,300 people situated in the midst of lush Northwoods forests.

Stepping inside the Nueske’s factory feels like stepping back in time. The care and attention to detail seen in their production process hearkens back to a simpler age when quality trumphed quantity.

Their smokehouses use genuine Applewood from local orchards, burning it slowly to applewood embers which perfume the bacon. Each batch is smoked for just the right amount of time to achieve perfect smokiness without drying out the meat. The bellies are carefully grouped by size and weight to ensure even smoking.

Rather than automated statistical sampling, Nueske’s employees personally inspect each piece of bacon by hand throughout the entire process. They even taste-test every batch to guarantee it meets their impeccable standards before being packaged and shipped.

This commitment to traditional small-batch production is why Nueske’s has resisted opportunities to produce their bacon at a cheaper cost on a mass scale. They remain devoted to making their bacon the slow, old-fashioned way to maintain the distinctive flavor and peerless quality that has made it a beloved specialty food product.

Where to Purchase Nueske’s Bacon

The best place to purchase Nueske’s bacon is directly from the source at their company store located at:

1390 E. Grand Ave.
Wittenberg, WI 54499

In addition to bacon, the Nueske’s company store sells their full range of products including ham, sausages, poultry, and gift boxes. You can also find various grilling supplies, local specialty foods, Nueske’s apparel, and gift cards.

The company store is open 5 days a week, but closed Sundays and major holidays:

Monday – Thursday: 8am – 5:30pm
Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 4pm

Nueske’s bacon can also be mail ordered directly through their website and is carried by gourmet retailers across the United States. However, for the freshest product and best prices, buying direct from the company store is your best bet if you happen to be traveling through central Wisconsin.

Why Nueske’s Bacon is Worth the Hype

After learning about the Nueske’s legacy, small-town production, and steadfast commitment to artisanal quality, it’s easy to understand why their applewood smoked bacon is so highly revered. Each slice is the product of nearly 100 years of family tradition, carefully nurtured in tiny Wittenberg, Wisconsin using time-honored techniques.

While large companies have embraced mass production of cheap bacon pumped full of liquid smoke and preservatives, Nueske’s remains dedicated to doing things the old-fashioned way. Their adherence to tradition has allowed their bacon to remain a stand-out specialty product that keeps devoted bacon aficionados coming back bite after bite.

So for a transcendent bacon experience like no other, seek out the applewood smoked perfection of Nueske’s – made with pride by four generations of a small Wisconsin family who wouldn’t have it any other way.