Thursday, September 30, 2010

Golden Valley Meat Snacks Beef Jerky - Sweet N' Spicy

Golden Valley Meat Snacks Beef JerkyNext in the series on Golden Valley Meat Snacks is this Black Pepper variety. See my previous reviews of their Original, Original Ripple Cut, and Black Pepper varieties.

Golden Valley Meat Snacks is a new line of jerky from Intermountain Natural, LLC based out of Idaho Falls, ID. They also make the Golden Valley Natural line of jerky, and are a major private labeler of jerky for stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.

This line of jerky is not a natural or organic jerky like their Golden Valley Natural line, but appears targeted to compete against national brands like Jack Link's and Oberto.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Smoked Alligator

wilderness jerky outletLast in the series on Wilderness Jerky Outlet is this Smoked Alligator. See my previous reviews of their other smoked meat products.

Wilderness 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.

The company claims to trace its origins from a single line of beef jerky available at "Beck's Farm Market" back in 1959.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Jerky John's - American Original

Jerky John's beef jerkyJerky John's is a brand of Jerky John's, Inc. based out of Huntington Beach, CA. The company has been around for a year now, launched by John Keller.

Keller's been making beef jerky since 1994, starting when he was a paratrooper in the US Army.

Jerky John's markets itself as the healthiest jerky around. It has the lowest sodium content I've seen thus far, and touts itself as being about 40% lower in cholesterol than most brands.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Mountain Trail Beef Jerky - Honey Smoked Traditional Cut

mountain trail beef jerkyMountain Trail Beef Jerky is a homemade brand owned by John Murphy of Prospect Heights, IL. Murphy sells his jerky through his own eBay store, as well as through local bars and farmers' markets.

His product literature says he smokes his jerky in his backyard in a smoker he built, and that making jerky has been a hobby of his for 12 years now. He has five flavors (teriyaki, red pepper, black peppered, habanero, and honey smoked), along with three meat cuts to choose from (Tradional cut with the grain, Cross-cut against the grain, and Jerky Stix). All flavors have a teriyaki base marinated for 24 hours.

The following review is based on jerky that I purchased from his eBay store. Along with this Honey Smoked Traditional Cut, I also have his Black Peppered Traditional Cut, and his Black Pepper Jerky Stix to review in the coming weeks.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Black Tiger Beef Jerky - The Legend Original

black tiger beef jerkyBlack Tiger Beef Jerky is a brand of Black Tiger, LLC based out of La Mirada, CA. It's a relatively new brand, having just launched a website this summer, and just starting to get its products in stores.

The company leverages the "exotic" theme with graphics and flavor names reminiscent of deadly creatures found in the jungle. It has a very youth-oriented appeal, going so far to include a variety with energy ingredients.

I have three of their flavors to review, including this Legend Original as well as their Jungle Spice, and their Vicious.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Vermont Beef Jerky Co. - Maple & Spice

vermont beef jerky companyLast in the series on Vermont Beef Jerky Co. is this Maple & Spice variety. See my previous review of their Original beef jerky.

Vermont Beef Jerky Co. is based in Orleans, VT and makes jerky in their own USDA inspected facility. They make four varieties including this Maple & Spice, the Original, along with Hickory Smoked, and a Teriyaki. All but the Teriyaki are said to be hickory smoked.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky - Spicy Hot

uncle mike's beef jerkyNext in the series on Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky is this Spicy Hot variety. See my previous review of their Original variety.

Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky is a brand of Walnut Creek Cheese of Walnut Creek, OH, having been in business since 1977. Walnut Creek Cheese is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Amish Country of Ohio.

In 1998, they acquired Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky, and today it's manufactured in Walnut Creek Cheese's own USDA inspected facility.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Smoked Kangaroo

wilderness jerky outletNext up in the series on Wilderness Jerky Outlet is this Smoked Kangaroo. Read my previous reviews of their other smoked jerky products.

Wilderness 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.

The company claims to trace its origins from a single line of beef jerky available at "Beck's Farm Market" back in 1959.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse - Cowboy Pocket Food

luther's smokehouseNext in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this "Cowboy Pocket Food". See my previous reviews of Luther's other jerky varieties.

Cowboy Pocket Food is a chopped & formed pork jerky made from smoked pork shoulder. Last week I reviewed a similar jerky, "Midnight Special", also from Luther's Smokehouse. But this Cowboy Pocket Food includes dried cranberries.

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.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Bone Suckin' Beef Jerky

bone suckin' beef jerkyBone Suckin' Beef Jerky is a brand of Ford's Foods, Inc. based out of Raleigh, NC. They're more famous for their Bone Suckin' Sauce.

While the company has been around since 1992, it was only last month they started selling their own branded beef jerky. It's actually manufactured by Umpqua Indian Foods, a brand belonging to the Cow Creek Band of Indians based in Roseburg, OR.

I actually reviewed several varieties of jerky from Umpqua Indian Foods a couple of years ago, however, it appears this jerky contains different ingredients than what I reviewed back then. You can read those reviews here.

But it doesn't appear that this jerky contains Bone Suckin' Sauce. There's nothing on the label nor in the product literature saying so, and the ingredients list doesn't indicate it. In fact the ingredients doesn't contain the same ingredients as the sauce.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Omaha Steaks Beef Jerky - Original

omaha steaks beef jerkyOmaha Steaks is the well known mail-order steak company, run by Omaha Steaks International, Inc., based out of Omaha, NE. They've been around since 1917.

I'm not sure for long the company has offered beef jerky, but I remember browsing their website as recently as a year ago wondering if they had any, and at that time I didn't see any. But just a couple of weeks ago I spotted an ad from them for beef jerky. So, I decided to get some.

They only have this one flavor, Original.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Golden Valley Meat Snacks Beef Jerky - Black Pepper

golden valley meat snacksNext in the series on Golden Valley Meat Snacks is this Black Pepper variety. See my previous reviews of their Original and Original Ripple Cut varieties.

Golden Valley Meat Snacks is a new line of jerky from Intermountain Natural, LLC based out of Idaho Falls, ID. They also make the Golden Valley Natural line of jerky, and are a major private labeler of jerky for stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.

This line of jerky is not a natural or organic jerky like their Golden Valley Natural line, but appears targeted to compete against national brands like Jack Link's and Oberto.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Honey Barbeque Smoked Wild Boar

wilderness jerky outletNext in the series on Wilderness Jerky Outlet is this Honey Barbeque Smoked Wild Boar jerky. Read my review of their Smoked Wild Boar.

Wilderness 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.

The package label on this Smoked Wild Boar goes on to say, "Wild Boar from ferral swine". This particular wild boar jerky was manufactured by Michigan Brands, Inc., a company that makes jerky for a lot of other Michigan-based jerky companies.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse - Midnight Special

luther's smokehouse jerkyNext in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this "Midnight Special". See my previous reviews of their other jerky varieties.

Midnight Special is a pork jerky, chopped and formed from smoked pork shoulder. Luther's Smokehouse offers another chopped and formed pork jerky called "Cowboy Pocket Food" which I'll review next week.

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.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Cherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky - Cherryaki

cherry's bad ass beef jerkyLast in the series on Cherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky is this Cherryaki variety. Read my previous reviews of the Spicy and Mild varieties.

Cherry'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.

This Cherryaki is described as being "sweet, sassy, slightly chewy, and ultimately addictive!" It's topped with little pieces of soy-soaked pineapple.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

People's Choice Beef Jerky - Hot N' Spicy

people's choice beef jerkyPeople's Choice Beef Jerky is a brand of People's Sausage Company, Inc., based out of Los Angeles, CA. It's a family-run business that's been around since 1929 originally focusing on sausage, and then moving into restaurant distribution. It wasn't until recent years when the founder's grandson took over the business and branched into beef jerky.

I actually reviewed this brand two years ago, reviewing their Premium Teriyaki Beef Jerky.

This "Hot N' Spicy" is part of the company's "Classic Premium" line which appears to be the company's flagship line, and is one I've typically seen in local retail outlets here in SoCal.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Vermont Beef Jerky Co. - Original

vermont beef jerky companyVermont Beef Jerky Co. is a brand recommended to me by a regular reader and follower of this blog's Facebook page.

The company is based in Orleans, VT and makes jerky in their own USDA inspected facility. They make four varieties including this Original, as well as a Maple & Spice, Hickory Smoked, and a Teriyaki. All but the Teriyaki are said to be hickory smoked.

In addition to the Original, I also have the Maple & Spice to review next week.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky - Original

uncle mike's beef jerkyUncle Mike's Beef Jerky is a brand of Walnut Creek Cheese of Walnut Creek, OH. Walnut Creek Cheese is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Amish Country of Ohio.

The company has been around since 1977 founded by Mark Coblentz originally starting out as a cheese marketer. Through a series of rapid expansion and business acquisitions, Walnut Creek Cheese built itself into one of the top tourist spots and gourmet food labels across the Amish Country. In 1998, they acquired Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky.

Uncle Mike's Beef Jerky is manufactured in Walnut Creek Cheese's own USDA inspected facility, and is one of the company's top selling products. It's available in six flavors, Original, BBQ, Black Pepper, Spicy Hot, Jalapeno, and Teriyaki. I have only this Original, as well as the Spicy Hot and BBQ to review.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Smoked Wild Boar

wilderness jerky outletNext in the series on Wilderness Jerky Outlet is this Smoked Wild Boar jerky. Read my review of their Smoked Beef Jerky.

Wilderness 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.

The package label on this Smoked Wild Boar goes on to say, "Wild Boar from ferral swine". I also have their Honey Barbecue Smoked Wild Boar which I'll review next week.

This particular wild boar jerky was manufactured by Michigan Brands, Inc., a company that makes jerky for a lot of other Michigan-based jerky companies.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Golden Valley Meat Snacks Beef Jerky - Original Ripple Cut

golden valley meat snacks beef jerkyNext in the series on Golden Valley Meat Snacks is this Original Ripple Cut. Read last week's review of their Original variety.

Golden Valley Meat Snacks is a new brand of jerky Intermountain Natural, LLC, of Idaho Falls, ID, which built a reputation on making all-natural and organic jerky through their Golden Valley Natural brand. This new brand appears to be positioned to compete top brands like Jack Link's and Oberto.

This "Ripple Cut" is described by the company's spokesperson as being sliced more thin and therefore made for "ripping, tearing, chewing and savoring and a bag tends to provide a good deal more jerky enjoyment." Interestingly, ripple style jerky is something that Intermountain Natural's founder Roger Ball is familiar with, having introduced it years ago with his old King B brand of jerky, which he subsequently sold to Jack Link's.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Cherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky - Spicy

cherry's bad ass beef jerkyNext in the series on Cherry's Bad Ass Beef Jerky is this Spicy variety. See last week's review of Cherry's Mild variety.

Cherry'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.

This Spicy variety has slices of pickled jalapenos laid on top and deyhydrated in place with the meat. Cherry describes this jerky as being made with the same marinade as her Mild variety, but adds in the pickled jalapeño juice. And then after that, bastes the juice on the meat again.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Lando's Jerky - Garlic Pepper

lando's jerkyLast week I reviewed the Hickory Beef Jerky from Lando's Jerky, today I have their Garlic Pepper variety.

Lando'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.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Alien Fresh Jerky - Galactic Garlic with Rosemary

alien fresh jerkyEvery couple of months my wife and I hit the road to Las Vegas, and along the way I always make a stop at the Alien Fresh Jerky store in Baker, CA.

For one, it's a entertaining place to visit with the space alien theme, the alien exhibits, the alien t-shirts and the hilarious rack of comical hot sauces. But I also like to check what they have new in jerky flavors, and it seems every time I'm there I find something I hadn't seen before. Such is the case with this Galactic Garlic with Rosemary beef jerky.

Read my previous reviews of Alien's other flavors.

You often hear stories of dead cattle being found in pastures with all their insides removed but their hides intact, and you wonder what the heck happened? Well it seems little green men from outerspace have developed a technology for making beef jerky. Nuking planets all over the Universe requires a lot of protein, and after perfecting their recipe they decided to turn it into a business.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Luther's Smokehouse - Pemmican Style Beef Jerky - Jalapeno

luther's smokehouseNext up in the series on Luther's Smokehouse is this Jalapeno flavored 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.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Wilderness Jerky Outlet - Cherry Maple Smoked Beef

wilderness jerky outletNext up in the series on Wilderness Jerky Outlet is this Cherry Maple Smoked Beef. See last week's review of their plain Smoked Beef.

Wilderness 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.

The company claims to trace its origins from a single line of beef jerky available at "Beck's Farm Market" back in 1959.

As of today, many of their jerky products are 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.