Monday, April 21, 2025

People's Choice Beef Jerky - Sweet Chili Habanero

peoples choice beef jerky
People's Choice Beef Jerky has a new flavor, "Sweet Chili Habanero".

People's Choice Beef Jerky is a brand of Peoples Sausage Company, Inc. based out of Los Angeles, CA. It's a family-run business that's been around since 1929. See our previous reviews of their jerky.

This Sweet Chili Habanero is described by the company as "...a bright fruit sweetness, almost tropical, that slowly accompanies the savory spice blend and the natural meat flavor."

Friday, April 18, 2025

Whiskey Hill Smokehouse - Gator Jerky

whiskey hill smokehouse
Whiskey Hill Smokehouse is a brand owned and operated by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The company also owns The Jerky Hut brand of jerky, along with Bakke Brothers Brand.

According to the company, the Whiskey Hill Smokehouse brand focuses on exotic meats and more exotic recipes than The Jerky Hut and the Bakke Brothers lines. It also focuses on all natural ingredients and its jerky varieties are all marked as "Gluten Free".

Whiskey Hill Smokehouse doesn't make any marketing claims on this Gator Jerky aside from being low fat, high protein, and that it "tastes like chicken".

Monday, April 14, 2025

Western's Smokehouse - Big'un Snack Sticks

westerns big'un snack sticks
Western's Smokehouse has been in business since 1978, when it was founded by Sam Western, a man who built a career as a butcher. Originally starting as a local meat market, Western's Smokehouse struck it rich when it introduced it's first meat stick, "Western's Hot Dogs".

Renaming them to "Snack Sticks", the company expanded to meet demand by building a larger facility. Production of snack sticks remains as the company's primary focus today.

These "Big'un" Snack Sticks are essentially the same as the company's normal sized snack sticks we reviewed last week, even the same ingredients, but are double the length, and double the weight, for those who need something more visually impressive. Note however, this Big'un line includes a Jalapeno flavor, not available in the normal line of sticks.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Jerky's Gourmet - Craft Beer

jerkys gourmet
Jerky's Gourmet is a new brand of jerky, founded by Tim Gerstman and Andria Taylor, based out of San Diego, CA. Gerstman, who transplated to San Diego from the East Coast 8 years ago, met Andria who also happened to love beef jerky. The two joined forces and launched Jerky's Gourmet.

The pair can be found at farmers markets across the San Diego area doling out taste samples. Their jerky is also sold at various stores and shops across town, and also sell from their website.

This "Craft Beer" jerky is part of their "Top Shelf Line" of alcohol-infused jerky, and was inspired by San Diego's love of craft beer. According to Jerky's Gourmet, "It packs a bold punch of traditional spices and, of course, lots of premium beer. We use the best domestic pale ale in our marinade to bring the on-tap flavor of hops and barley that will make your mouth water!"

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Brothers Artisanal Jerky

brothers artisanal jerky
Brothers Artisanal Jerky is a new startup still in fundraising mode, based out of New Bedford, MA. It was started by two brothers, Philip and Pierre Beauregard, along with a team of friends and advisors. Philip brought in his background starting companies while Pierre brings in his craft in cooking and cuisine.

The two came across a very old recipe for beef jerky, "Civil War parchment paper old", according to Philip, and decided it was so awesome it needed to brought to market. The challenge was making it taste exactly the way it did back then. So, they had to source locally grown meats, use natural ingredients, and even slice and marinate using time-old traditions, just to make it taste and chew the way it was meant to.

You can find them online on Kickstarter, and on Instagram and Twitter. Currently, they have four flavors perfected, "No.5 Original Beef", "Carolina Dip Turkey", "Burning Pig", and "Ginger Dumpling Pork". Because Brothers Artisanal Jerky is not available to the public, I'm withholding ratings. However, you can get some by going to their Kickstarter Page, and pledging as little as $20.00.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Tibbs Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

tibbs beef jerky
Tibbs Beef Jerky is the creation of Steve Tibbs, who launched the business in 2016, based out of Bakersfield, CA. Tibbs descends from a line of barbecue grill masters and even dabbles in charcuterie.

But, the story behind Tibbs' entry into the jerky business was weight loss. Reaching 260 pounds at one point, he decided to forge together his love for meat snacks with hitting the gym. He started making his own jerky using whole foods, fresh beef, and healthful ingredients. When his friends tried his jerky, Tibbs realized he had a gold mine on his hands. Today, Tibbs jerky is sold in stores throughout the greater Bakersfield area, as well as online from its website, and now through a monthly subscription service.

This "Teriyaki" is described by the company as, "Not Your Typical Teriyaki", going on to say that it's, "Hand Crafted Beef Jerky with only the finest ingredients, No sugars added No Msg, No Nitrates, Perfect for Keto diets".

Friday, April 4, 2025

Bakke Brothers Brand - Honey Glazed Beef Jerky

Bakke Brothers Brand
Bakke Brothers Brand is owned by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC based out of Hubbard, OR. Whiskey Hill also owns The Jerky Hut, as well as its own house brand, Whiskey Hill Smokehouse.

Bakke Brothers was started by Phil Bakke, one of Whiskey Hill'founders. The brand differs from The Jerky Hut in that it's free of preservatives such as sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate, et al, and it's also gluten-free.

This "Honey Glazed" is described by the brand as, "...flavored by Honey, Smoke, Brown & Maple sugars", going on to say that it's made with, "slices of premium, tender, juicy beef".

Monday, March 31, 2025

Jerky by Art - Jalapeno Pepper

jerky by art
Jerky by Art was established by Arthur Sandoval in 2004, based out of Albuquerque, NM.

As an iron worker, Art started making carne seca (Mexican-style jerky) at home for his own pleasure. He would take some to work and sell it to co-workers. He was selling so much of it, that he bought more dehydrators. Before he knew it, he was producing jerky all day and night. And thus became, Jerky by Art.

This Jalapeno Pepper variety is described simply as a "spicy jerky".

Friday, March 28, 2025

Chef Craig's Beef Jerky - Black Thai

chef craigs beef jerky

The newest flavor to come out of Chef Craig's Beef Jerky is this Black Thai. Read our review of their Original Beef Jerky.

Based out of West Kingston, RI, Chef Craig's Beef Jerky was originally started by Craig Mitchell, who holds a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University. He's been cooking professionally since 1978. Chef Craig's Beef Jerky was a way to extend his career in cooking and cuisine.

This Black Thai variety is described by the company as "The same chewy beef jerky with a taste of Asian spiciness; it leaves a lingering warm sensation in your mouth."

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Ryder's Savage Jerky - Peppered

ryders savage jerky
Ryder's Savage Jerky is a brand that launched in 2017 by Monica Willoughby based out of Sacramento, CA. Monica currently markets her jerky at local farmers markets, street fairs, and online through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

She started the business as a way to create a college fund for her 5-year old son Ryder. Last year she launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure licenses, materials, and equipment. Last month she got a boost after being featured on a television news show in Sacramento.

This Peppered beef jerky has no other marketed claims other than its name, "Peppered".