Gen Con to Collaborate with Smoking Goose to Create Artisan Meat Products

INDIANAPOLIS (May 22, 2018) Gen Con, the largest and longest-running gaming convention in North America, has reached an agreement with Indianapolis’ Smoking Goose Meatery to collaborate on products specifically designed for hungry gamers. Launching with two all-new artisan meat products in June 2018, DRAGON FIRE BACON and EPIC LEVEL ANDOUILLE, this collaboration will feature exclusive items available for direct delivery only at Smoking Goose’s online storefront (smokinggoose.com).

From Smoking Goose: Gen Con and Smoking Goose at the table together? We're so game! It's been super fun to R&D with fellow D&D adventurers. Together we decided to heat things up a bit, and even teamed up with another Indy original.

Our new Dragon Fire Bacon starts with West Fork's 3rd Degree Whiskey. Aged on cinnamon and hot chili peppers here in Indianapolis, the spirit's toasty heat infuses whole pork bellies before we smoke 'em over sweet fruit wood. (Butchers' Tip: we recommend pulling these bacon slices from the pan before they're too crispy when the flavors really sing.)

Our sausage collaboration isn't for beginners. We're at Epic Level with these one-pound sausage loops laced with Scorpion Peppers, one of the world's hottest chilies. Mace, cloves, and thyme ring in the smoldering fire of those peppers, so the sweet, smoky pork comes through the intense and layered heat. We're recruiting the bold & brave with this Epic Level Andouille.

From Gen Con: As we’ve teamed with great, customer-focused Hoosier businesses like Sun King Brewing and People for Urban Progress, it has become evident that Indy both knows and loves Gen Con attendees. Smoking Goose painstakingly crafts award-winning meat products, and we’re certain our attendees will love this collaboration. A very limited quantity will be sold at launch, and we encourage interested attendees to order early and steal the show at Father’s Day and Fourth of July barbecues.

Gen Con 2018 will return to the Indiana Convention Center Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 5. Last year marked a historic milestone when the convention celebrated its 50th show, setting record attendance numbers and selling out for the first time in its history. Gen Con expects to sell out of attendee badges prior to the convention this year as well.

About Gen Con LLC

Gen Con LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction, and adventure game convention in North America, Gen Con, The Best Four Days in Gaming!™. Founded in 1968 and acquired in 2002 by founder and former CEO of Wizards of the Coast, Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle and takes place each August in Indianapolis.

About Smoking Goose

Smoking Goose handcrafts more than 40 varieties of slow-cured and smoked meats, salumi, and sausages from their downtown Indianapolis meat locker. Local natives and high school sweethearts Chris and Mollie Eley opened their neighborhood butcher shop and specialty food market in 2007. Based on the relationships with farmers and the recipes that Chris developed behind the butcher counter, this family business grew into Smoking Goose in 2011. Chris and the Smoking Goose gang still butcher by hand and cure without compound nitrates. Producing this way takes more time, more effort, and more patience, but their unwavering commitment to quality, flavor, and humane, sustainable farm partners has earned Smoking Goose nods from Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, New York Times, James Beard Foundation, Good Food Awards, and more.

Media Contact for Gen Con LLC

Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, [email protected]

Media Contact for Smoking Goose

Corrie Quinn, (317) 698-5126, [email protected]