how large is the beer brat category in dollar volume sales in the usa. 
Ideally, 2001, 2002, and 2003 years

Just a comment here, in WI the market is HUGE, especially around
football/baseball season but they are good year round :) Most of out
"beer brats" are home made. Meaning, the brats are sold plain and then
are "soaked" in beer at home prior to grilling. In fact, i have never
seen a "beer brat" that was packaged for sale at the grocery store
personally speaking....possibly sold by a private vendor that soaked
them themselves,,, maybe.

Here is some interesting information:

You can determine both 2003 and 2004 with this:  According to figures
for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 23. 2003, retail sales of refrigerated
dinner sausage topped $1.55 billion, up 4 percent from a year earlier.
  Check this link: http://www.hot-dog.org/sausage/sausage_market.htm

Here is some information for 2002 and 2001.  According to data
collected during the 52-week period ending April 21, 2002, by
Information Resources Inc., for the National Hot Dog & Sausage
Council, retail sales of refrigerated dinner sausage were more than
$1.4 billion, up 7.8% from the previous year.  Check the link:

http://www.foodproductdesign.com/archive/2004/0204CC.html

Erik

In the paragraph:

You can determine both 2003 and 2004 with this:  According to figures
for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 23. 2003, retail sales of refrigerated
dinner sausage topped $1.55 billion, up 4 percent from a year earlier.

I should have said:

Here is some interesting information:

You can determine both 2002 and 2003 with this:  According to figures
for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 23. 2003, retail sales of refrigerated
dinner sausage topped $1.55 billion, up 4 percent from a year earlier.

Sorry about that.

Erik