Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Golden Valley Meat Snacks Beef Jerky - Original

golden valley meat snacks beef jerkyGolden Valley Meat Snacks is a new line of jerky from Intermountain Natural, LLC, of Idaho Falls, ID. Intermountain is mostly known for making lines of all natural and organic jerky through its Golden Valley Natural brand, as well as private labeling for store brands like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.

Two years ago I wrote reviews of Golden Valley Natural jerky, which you can read here.

Golden Valley Meat Snacks is not an all natural product, which explains why Intermountain Natural didn't use its existing "Golden Valley Natural" brand name. According to a company spokesperson, this line is supposed to be marketed as an "old-school throwback jerky that leans toward the salty taste profiles of the past versus the sweeter flavors of the present."

This new line also uses a smaller package size that incorporates bright colors, which when combined with the "salty taste profile", suggests that Intermountain Natural is going after shelf-space currently occupied by the Jack Link's and Oberto's of the industry.

There are five varieties altogether in this Golden Valley Meat Snacks line, including this Original, an Original Ripple Cut, a Teriyaki, Sweet & Spicy, and Black Pepper, which I'll be reviewing over the next several weeks.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Cherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky - Mild

cherry's bad ass beef jerkyCherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky is run by Cherry Kelln of Dallas, TX. Cherry started making jerky several years ago and then after going jobless decided to make a business out of making jerky.

It's a new business, with Cherry launching an e-commerce website only last June. She also sells her jerky at various social events around North Texas and even at friends' garage sales.

This Mild variety is described by her as "ultra flavorful and slightly twangy", and admitting that it needs a better name than just "mild". She also offers a Spicy variety and a Cherryaki. I'll be reviewing all three over the next couple of weeks.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Lando's Jerky - Hickory

lando's jerkyLando's Jerky is run by Alex Landers of Chicago, IL. He says he's been making jerky for years and started selling it to his co-workers. Since then he's set up an eBay store and is now selling it to everyone.

All of his jerky is made fresh to order using USDA choice grade angus from his local meat market, marinates for 24 hours, and then finally slow-cooks and smokes it for 6 hours.

I bought two flavors to review, this Hickory and the Garlic Pepper. Alex also has two other flavors, Inferno and Sweet & Spicy.

Friday, August 27, 2010

A&J South Florida Jerky - Fire Hot Habanero

A&J South Florida JerkyNext in the series on A&J South Florida Jerky is this "Fire Hot Habanero". Refer to last week's review of their Spicy Habanero, the earlier one of their Mild Habanero, or their Original.

A&J South Florida Jerky is a brand of A&J South Florida Jerky, Inc. based out of West Palm Beach, FL. The brand has been around since 2006. It's run by Andy Cohron and Jim Torhorst, a couple of buddies who had been making jerky for themselves and friends over the past 15 years. They make all their jerky in their own USDA approved facility.

This Fire Hot Habanero is described by the company as being based on the same jerky as their Original flavor, but with four times the number of habanero chiles as thir Mild Habanero, and double then their Spicy Habanero.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse - Pemmican Style Beef Jerky

luther's smokehouseNext up in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this Pemmican Style Beef Jerky. Read my reviews of their other jerky varieties.

Luther's Smokehouse is a smokehouse located in LeRoy, KS, owned and operated by Martin Luther. Luther started out running a slaughterhouse, but in 1974 he added beef jerky to his list of products and today it's his primary business.

This Pemmican Style is meant to mimic what Native Americans made centuries ago by grinding up meat and mixing it with spices and fruit. In this case, Luther's Smokehouse uses raisins.

A year ago I wrote a review of 4D Acres Emu Jerky, which was also a "pemmican style" made by Luther's Smokehouse and also included raisins.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Smoked Beef

wilderness jerky outletWilderness Jerky Outlet is a brand of Wilderness Jerky Outlet, Inc. of St. Johns, MI. It's an actual store where you walk in and buy a variety of smoked meats including jerky, meat sticks, sausages, smoked salmon, and a few other things.

But they also have a website where you can buy their products online.

Many of their jerky products were actually manufactured by Michigan Brands, Inc., a company that seems to make jerky for a lot of other Michigan-based jerky companies. You can read my prior reviews of Bulk Beef Jerky and Bruce's Jerky, both of which were made by them.

This particular Smoked Beef is also marketed as "No Sugar Added".

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Mr. Steak's Beef Jerky - Habanero

mr. steak's beef jerkyNext in the series on Mr. Steak's Beef Jerky is this Habanero variety. Read last week's review of their Original beef jerky.

Mr. Steak's Beef Jerky is a brand that just started up this year, operated by Eric and Kelly Gregg of North Las Vegas, NV. Their website only went online a few months ago.

The brand offers five flavors, this Habanero variety, along with an Original, a Jalapeno, a Garlic, and a Peppered. Apparently a teriyaki variety is in the works, along with a turkey jerky.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Mama Shew's Beef Jerky - Sesame Garlic

mama shew's beef jerkyNext in the series on Mama Shew's Gourmet Beef Jerky is this Sesame Garlic variety. See my previous review of her Original Black Pepper beef jerky.

Mama Shew's Gourmet Beef Jerky appears to be run by Sheryl Shew of Longview, WA, at least that's the name that came up when I placed an order. According to her eBay store, she got into the business of making jerky using a old family recipe for her Original Black Pepper variety.

She also offers several other flavors. This Sesame Garlic variety I'm reviewing is said to be one of her newest, and her most moist.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Wayne's Jerky - Extra Hot

wayne's jerkyLast in this series on Wayne's Jerky is their "Extra Hot" variety. Read my reviews of their other flavors.

Wayne's Jerky is a brand of Wayne's Jerky, LLC based out of Sobieski, WI. The company has been in business since 2006, available in stores throughout north-east Wisconsin.

All of their jerky all of their jerky comes in the form of "bites", bite-sized pieces, and in a chopped and formed product. Only recently did the company get a website going with online purchasing. The company claims all their jerky is "made fresh to order".

Friday, August 20, 2010

A&J South Florida Jerky - Spicy Habanero

A&J South Florida JerkyNext in the series on A&J South Florida Jerky is this "Spicy Habanero". Refer to last week's review of their Mild Habanero, or the earlier one of their Original.

A&J South Florida Jerky is a brand of A&J South Florida Jerky, Inc. based out of West Palm Beach, FL. The brand has been around since 2006. It's run by Andy Cohron and Jim Torhorst, a couple of buddies who had been making jerky for themselves and friends over the past 15 years. They make all their jerky in their own USDA approved facility.

This Spicy Habanero is described by the company as being based on the same jerky as their Original flavor, but with double the habanero chiles than their Mild Habanero.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse Beef Jerky - Jalapeno

luther's smokehouse beef jerkyNext in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this Old Fashioned Jalapeno variety. See my reviews of their Old Fashioned Original, Old Fashioned Hot, and Old Fashioned Teriyaki.

Luther's Smokehouse is a smokehouse located in LeRoy, KS, owned and operated by Martin Luther. Luther started out running a slaughterhouse, but in 1974 he added beef jerky to his list of products and today it's his primary business.

All of his jerky is made in his own USDA inspected facility. He also runs a restaurant and country store.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Longview Buffalo Jerky

longview buffalo jerkyLast in the series on Longview Beef Jerky is this Buffalo Jerky. See my reviews of all their other jerky varieties.

Longview Beef Jerky is a brand of Longview Meat & Merchandise Ltd., based out of Longview, Alberta, Canada. The company has been making their jerky for the past 30 years. They claim their beef jerky is made from Canadian grown cattle. You can't buy Longview Beef Jerky in the USA, but you can find it at gas stations and stores throughout Canada.

The company sent me samples because it's trying to capitalize on the number of Americans visiting the Calgary, Alberta area for the Calgary Stampede.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Mr. Steak's Beef Jerky - Original

Mr. Steak's Beef JerkyMr. Steak's Beef Jerky is a brand that just started up this year, operated by Eric and Kelly Gregg of North Las Vegas, NV. Their website only went online a few months ago.

The brand offers five flavors, this Original variety, along with a Habanero, a Jalapeno, a Garlic, and a Peppered. I'll also review the Habanero next week.

Apparently a teriyaki variety is in the works, along with a turkey jerky.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Mama Shew's Beef Jerky - Original Black Pepper

Mama Shew's beef jerkyMama Shew's Gourmet Beef Jerky appears to be run by Sheryl Shew of Longview, WA, at least that's the name that came up when I placed an order.

According to the product literature, the recipe for this Original Black Pepper beef jerky has been in the family for years and "Mama" decided to start selling it to the public, and now does her selling through an eBay store.

Since then she's branched off to several flavors, including a Sesame Garlic that I'll be reviewing later.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Wayne's Jerky - Hot

wayne's jerkyNext in the series on Wayne's Jerky is this Hot variety. See my reviews of their Mild, Medium, and Teriyaki varieties.

Wayne's Jerky is a brand of Wayne's Jerky, LLC based out of Sobieski, WI. The company has been in business since 2006, available in stores throughout north-east Wisconsin.

All of their jerky all of their jerky comes in the form of "bites", bite-sized pieces, and in a chopped and formed product. Only recently did the company get a website going with online purchasing.

Friday, August 13, 2010

A&J South Florida Jerky - Mild Habanero

A&J South Florida JerkyNext in the series on A&J South Florida Jerky is this Mild Habanero variety. See my previous review of their Original variety.

A&J South Florida Jerky is a brand of A&J South Florida Jerky, Inc. based out of West Palm Beach, FL. The brand has been around since 2006. It's run by Andy Cohron and Jim Torhorst, a couple of buddies who had been making jerky for themselves and friends over the past 15 years, but decided to turn it into a business. In 2007 they became USDA approved and then incorporated.

The company sources their beef from Australia, made from top round. They claim it to be all natural, with no MSG, no nitrites, and no preservatives using a preservative-free soy sauce.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

luther's smokehouse jerkyNext in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this Teriyaki beef jerky. See my reviews of their Old Fashioned Original and Old Fashioned Hot.

Luther's Smokehouse is a smokehouse located in LeRoy, KS, owned and operated by Martin Luther. Luther started out running a slaughterhouse, but in 1974 he added beef jerky to his list of products and today it's his primary business.

All of his jerky is made in his own USDA inspected facility. He also runs a restaurant and country store.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

cedar creek beef jerkyNext in the series on Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews of their Peppered beef jerky, Hot beef jerky, and Original beef jerky.

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is based out of El Dorado Springs, MO. The company was started in 1990 by Terrance M. Ebeltoft who died last year. It's now owned by his wife, and ran by his wife's son. The company makes jerky in its own USDA approved facility, uses home made ovens.

Cedar Creek says they make jerky in "the foothills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains", using only locally produced beef, or beef produced in the USA. The company claims they, "literally make their jerky one piece at a time.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

California Jerky Factory - Original Peppered

california jerky factoryCalifornia Jerky Factory is a brand of California Jerky Factory, Inc. based out of So. El Monte, CA. The company appears to also operate as "Bach Cuc, Inc.", sharing the same USDA establishment number. Bach Cuc has its own line of jerky products.

I've actually reviewed their jerky before under the "Diva Chocolates" brand, a brand that specialized in chocolate-dusted jerky.

This label on this jerky says "Original Beef Jerky", but there's a smaller sticker below that says "Peppered", so I'm evaluating this as a peppered beef jerky.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Longview Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

longview beef jerkyMoving on in the series with Longview Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my reviews of their other beef jerky varieties.

Longview Beef Jerky is a brand of Longview Meat & Merchandise Ltd., based out of Longview, Alberta, Canada. The company has been making their jerky for the past 30 years. They claim their beef jerky is made from Canadian grown cattle. You can't buy Longview Beef Jerky in the USA, but you can find it at gas stations and stores throughout Canada.

The company sent me samples because it's trying to capitalize on the number of Americans visiting the Calgary, Alberta area for the Calgary Stampede.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Wayne's Jerky - Medium

Wayne's JerkyNext in the series on Wayne's Jerky is this Medium variety. See my reviews of their Mild and Teriyaki varieties.

Wayne's Jerky is a brand of Wayne's Jerky, LLC based out of Sobieski, WI. The company has been in business since 2006, available in stores throughout north-east Wisconsin.

All of their jerky all of their jerky comes in the form of "bites", bite-sized pieces, and in a chopped and formed product. Only recently did the company get a website going with online purchasing.

Friday, August 6, 2010

A&J South Florida Jerky - Original

A&J south florida jerkyA&J South Florida Jerky is a brand of A&J South Florida Jerky, Inc. based out of West Palm Beach, FL. The brand has been around since 2006.

It's run by Andy Cohron and Jim Torhorst, a couple of buddies who had been making jerky for themselves and friends over the past 15 years, but decided to turn it into a business. In 2007 they became USDA approved and then incorporated.

A&J South Florida Jerky is largely available in 300 retail outlets mostly in Florida, along with 30 Crown Liquor stores. They also sell jerky from their website, and they're already private labeling for other brands.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse Beef Jerky - Hot

luther's smokehouse beef jerkyNext up in the series on Luther's Smokehouse Beef Jerky is this Old Fashioned Hot. See my review of their Old Fashioned Original variety.

Luther's Smokehouse is a smokehouse located in LeRoy, KS, owned and operated by Martin Luther. Luther started out running a slaughterhouse, but in 1974 he added beef jerky to his list of products, and today beef jerky is his primary business.

Luther makes all of his jerky at his own USDA inspected facility. He also runs a restaurant and country store.

This Old Fashioned Hot variety is touted as being "No Carbs".

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky - Peppered

cedar creek beef jerkyNext in the series on Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is this Peppered variety. See my previous reviews of their Hot beef jerky and Original beef jerky.

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is based out of El Dorado Springs, MO. The company was started in 1990 by Terrance M. Ebeltoft who died last year. It's now owned by his wife, and ran by his wife's son. The company makes jerky in its own USDA approved facility, uses home made ovens.

Cedar Creek says they make jerky in "the foothills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains", using only locally produced beef, or beef produced in the USA. The company claims they, "literally make their jerky one piece at a time.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Wayne's Jerky - Teriyaki

waynes' jerkyNext in the series on Wayne's Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. Read my review of their Original beef jerky.

Wayne's Jerky is a brand of Wayne's Jerky, LLC based out of Sobieski, WI. The company has been in business since 2006, available in stores throughout north-east Wisconsin.

As of this writing, all of their jerky is sold in "bites", bite-sized pieces, and in a chopped and formed product. Only recently did the company get a website going with online purchasing.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Da Bomb Jerky

da bomb jerkyLast week I published a review of Da Bomb Jerky's "Spicy Teriyaki Beef Jerky".

The company also sent me samples of their other varieties, but only about 1oz each which is not quite enough to write a detailed review. Even though these other flavors have labels that read "3oz" I don't think they intended for me to write reviews on these, and just sent them to introduce me to their brand. But I want to share all these other flavors with you, so I'm just going to focus on taste, only summarize the meat consistency, and not assign any ratings.

Da Bomb Jerky is owned and made by Brian Jacoby of Colorado Springs, CO. The brand has been around locally for over ten years, selling through flea markets, car shows, and other events. They just started selling online in 2008.