coat bottom of large skillet with butter or olive oil. Put over medium to medium high heat, them add rings of onion to pan.

while the onions are warming, take two of your uncooked bratwurst and cut the casings away. when the onions begin to turn clear, add meat. be sure to work with wooden spoon or spatula to break meat up like hamburger meat.

brown meat slightly: add a dash each of thyme, sage, and anise. use the anise sparingly as it is a very strong flavor. add horseradish mustard at this point as well.

pour in cans or bottles of beer; bring to a simmer.

when simmering, add remaining bratwurst. cover, checking and stirring occasionally, until sausages are cooked well and swollen.

remove bratwurst to platter.

add salt and pepper to taste in sauce.

mix cornstarch into a small amount of water; stir into sauce gradually. simmer until sauce reaches a thicker consistency.

serve over rice with bratwurst on the side. excellent with sauerkraut as well!