Beefy Boys - Original Beef Jerky

Beefy Boys Beef Jerky is a brand owned by John Bailey, based out of Salinas, CA. The brand has been around since 1999.

Manufactured in their very own USDA inspected facility, Beefy Boys is made from top round sourced from a supplier located 120 miles from their plant, then marinated and cooked using an old family recipe.

This Original variety is described by the company as its first ever product offering, described as "conservative" and "milder" than their other flavors.

Ingredients

Beef, water, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, seasoned salt, spices, other flavorings.

Review

The first flavors that I pick up is a light soy sauce with some seasonings. The chewing brings on a stronger soy sauce and some natural meat flavors. There's some light black pepper that comes in late.

For being described by the company as "conservative" and "milder", is perhaps appropriate. It's conservative in that it's flavor is simple, mostly as soy sauce and a natural meat flavor that tastes like a well-done cooked steak. But it's also mild in that there's no heat or spiciness.

Despite the red wine vinegar and brown sugar in the ingredients list, this doesn't have a vinegary, or tangy flavor. There's only a touch of sweetness to this, perhaps too light to notice. The level of saltiness seems moderate to high.

The meat consitency looks really good, mostly all meat and very little signs of fat or gristle. It's very dry, somewhat crispy, and sliced thin. The chewing starts out brittle, then cracks apart into little pieces, and finally softens up into a dry, well-done steak.

Verdict

This Original Beef Jerky from Beefy Boys stands up to its claims of being "conservative" and "mild" in that it delivers a simple flavor of mostly soy sauce and a well-cooked natural meat flavor. It's seems like a good fit for those who like dry, thin sliced jerky. I found that it imparts a hand-made, small-batch taste and feel, perhaps reminiscent of the "old days" before automation and preservatives. Otherwise, it also seems plain, ordinary, and back-to-basics.

Rating: Average