Brats...Boiling vs Grilling

So we do a shop lunch almost every Thursday. Last week, the guy doing it pours $20 worth of Sam Adams into a big pot and boils the brats, then goes outside and grills them.

I've never done this. I do either or. Usually if I am doing brats, I pour about two beers into a pot with some onion and add a little water.

I honestly couldn't taste anything special about them later.