Shiner's Stash Jerky - Black Pepper & Garlic

Shiner's Stash Jerky is a brand launched by Swen Altis, based out of Conover, NC. Marketed with the tagline, "Made in the foothills of North Carolina", Altis started Shiner's Stash in 2016 after a successful career as an executive chef, working in professional sports for major league baseball teams, hockey teams, and football teams.

Shiner's Stash uses 100% Prime Beef Eye-Round & Pork Loin, sliced thick and cut against the grain. They make all their jerky themselves, in their own USDA inspected facility, as opposed to contracting it out to a co-packer. They currently have 19 varieties of beef and pork jerky. We only have 5 here to review, starting with this one.

This Black Pepper & Garlic is described by company as, "a perfect spice blend of coarse black pepper & freshly minced garlic", going on to say that it pairs well with a stout beer, heavy body red wines, honey bourbon, & clear corn liquor.

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Chops Beef Jerky - Original

Chops Beef Jerky is a brand owned by Chops Snacks, Inc. based out of New Haven, CT. The company was started in June 2016 by two recent Yale University undergraduates, Luke Sellers and Aaron Jones, along with food industry veteran Dusty Jaquins.

The company claims their jerky is made from 100% USDA Choice and Select beef brisket, sourced from cattle within the United States. They use no MSG, no nitrites, and no artificial preservatives. Their jerky is labeled as "all natural" and "exceptionally tender", while their website further claims to be gluten-free.

This Original is described by the team as having, "...slight overtones of freshly ground black pepper, with a small hint of brown sugar..." and that it's a, "classic favorite of our fans".

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Crooked Creek Farm - Mango Habanero Pork Jerky

Crooked Creek Farm is a small family run farm located in the rolling hills of Pylesville, MD, operated by Mike and Tiffany Schleupner. There they raise pasture-raised pigs for ribs, sausage, and pork chops. In 2017, they added pork jerky to their product line up.

All of their pork jerky is made from pigs with no added hormones, no antibiotics, and no growth promotants. It's currently selling at farmers markets around the Harford County, MD area, as well from their website.

This Mango Habanero Pork Jerky variety is described by Crooked Creek Farm as, "a perfect combo of spicy and sweet", going on to say that it's made from 100% American hogs.

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Blu Collar Meat Co. - Holy Hot XXX

Blu Collar Meat Co. is a start-up jerky brand launched last April 2018 by Steven and Brandy Reinecke in Lancaster, CA. Marketed as "100% homemade beef jerky", Reinecke says they use only locally sourced meats and ingredients.

The name, "Blu Collar Meat Co." makes reference to Steven's profession as a welder. "We represent the working class, and everybody putting in work ... whatever your profession, we got the jerky for you".

This Holy Hot XXX variety is marinated in habanero, jalapeno, ghost pepper, and Carolina Reaper chiles for 24 hours. The company says, "This is no meat to play around with", and "Not for the faint of heart".

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The Jerky Hut - Jalapeno Pepper Beef Sticks

The Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago.

Much of its jerky is sold through independent "retail licensees", who are the folks running the booths at the shows. It's parent company, Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, runs its own USDA inspected facility.

These Jalapeno Pepper Beef Sticks are marketed as having a natural smoke flavor with, "a little Cracked Black Pepper, some red pepper and a dash of Jalapeno chips to give it a Tex-Mex zest!"

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The Jerky Hut - Hot Cowgirl Beef Jerky

The Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago.

Much of its jerky is sold through independent "retail licensees", who are the folks running the booths at the shows. It's parent company, Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Hot Cowgirl Beef Jerky variety is marketed as having a "medium hot heat range due to the infusion of hot crushed red chili peppers", and goes on to say that it has a "rich smoky flavor from Oregon hardwoods".

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