Katie's Beef Jerky - Maple Habanero

Maple Habanero is the newest flavor from Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks, a brand owned by Katie's Snack Foods, LLC based out of Hilliard, OH. It was started in 2014 by Katie Levesque, a graduate of The Ohio State University.

According to Katie, she loves jerky so much, that she actually sleeps with it under her pillow (in a plastic bag), and prefers spicy jerky (so that other people won't ask for some). She loves it so much, she left her career as an engineer to launch her own jerky company. Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks is made in its own USDA inspected facility.

This "Maple Habanero" variety is so new, it's still not on the company's website, but we're assuming it's going to be very soon. The company also has another new variety called, "Maple" (sans habanero), but we didn't get it for review.

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Shiner's Stash Jerky - Cajun Spice

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.

This Cajun Spice variety is described by company as, "the perfect blend of southern Cajun spices. Combination of "TWANG" overtones and delicate sweetness with a Louisiana Cajun punch. No spice/heat."

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Katie's Beef Jerky - Carolina Reaper

Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks is a brand owned by Katie's Snack Foods, LLC based out of Hilliard, OH. It was started in 2014 by Katie Levesque, a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Katie loves jerky so much, that she actually sleeps with it under her pillow (in a plastic bag), and prefers spicy jerky (so that other people won't ask for some). She loves it so much, she left her career as an engineer to launch her own jerky company. Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks is made in its own USDA inspected facility.

This "Carolina Reaper" variety won an award at the 2017 ZestFest Fiery Food Challenge. It's described as "gluten free", and comes with the warning, "dangerously hot!".

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Shiner's Stash Jerky - Bacon & Swiss

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.

This Bacon & Swiss variety is described by company as a combination of, "leanest of Choice beef, Applewood Smoked Bacon, & Swiss", going on to say that its their, "Golden Seal of jerky".

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The Patriot Brands Beef Jerky - Carolina Reaper Freedom Fire

The Patriot Brands Beef Jerky is a new brand that launched in February of 2018 by James Napier of Cuba, MO. The company also markets a line of hot sauces under the same brand.

Napier seems well-known and well-liked by many as a patriot with his beard dyed red, white, and blue. The name "Patriot Brands" stems from his overwhelming support of the United States and the people who have fought for it. He's associated with "The Patriot Church", a congregation also based out of Cuba, MO.

Claiming this will, "it will light a Fire within your soul", the company describes this Carolina Reaper Freedom Fire variety as being made from their own hot sauce of the same name.

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The Patriot Brands Beef Jerky - Beyond Original

The Patriot Brands Beef Jerky is a new brand that launched in February of 2018 by James Napier of Cuba, MO. The company also markets a line of hot sauces under the same brand.

Napier seems well-known and well-liked by many as a patriot with his beard dyed red, white, and blue. The name "Patriot Brands" stems from his overwhelming support of the United States and the people who have fought for it. He's associated with "The Patriot Church", a congregation also based out of Cuba, MO.

This "Beyond Original" flavor is described by the company as, "...a great barrier blast of wonderful flavoring that will leave you saying This is Truly BEYOND ORIGINAL".

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Boot Jack Jerky - Spicy Smoked Beef

Boot Jack Jerky is a brand created by Tim Geyer and Wendy Geyer, based out of Ridgway, PA. Boot Jack Jerky has been selling online since 2012.

According to the company, Boot Jack Jerky is based on an old family recipe that was then improved based on feedback from American men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Geyers have set up a program called "Operation Get Jacked" where consumers can buy bags of Boot Jack Jerky for military personnel in Afghanistan, and have it air-dropped to US bases.

Boot Jack Jerky currently comes in one flavor, "Spicy Smoked Beef", described as, "tender, whole strip US beef, high in protein, spiced just right with true old fashioned smoke house flavor", and is made in a USDA inspected facility. They also offer beef sticks, which we'll review later.

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Sturgis Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

Last in the series on Sturgis Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews of their Original and Peppered varieties.

Sturgis Beef Jerky is a brand of G&G Enterprises, Inc. based out of Sturgis, SD. The company original started in 1964 by the Gap family and over the years grew their brand by selling to local residents, ranchers, and many bikers who attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They credit their loyal fans for helping them refine their recipe into what they currently sell today.

In 2002 they incorporated into G&G Enterprises, Inc. and now manufacture jerky in their own USDA inspected facility.

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Cedar Creek Beef Jerky - Peppered

Next 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.

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Cedar Creek Beef Jerky - Hot

Last year I wrote a review for Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, reviewing their Original variety. Recently the company sent me samples of their Hot, Teriyaki, and Peppered flavors. However, they sent me only 1oz of each flavor, while my Submission Guidelines asked for a minimum of 1.75oz to 2oz in order to write a detailed review.

So with just 1oz of each flavor, I'm going to put more focus on the Taste, and try to do what I can with the Meat Consistency.

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is based out of El Dorado Springs, MO. The company makes jerky in its own USDA approved facility. Since I wrote the Original review last year, the company had been officially operating as "Cedar Creek Enterprise", but has since dropped that name.

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Riley's Jerky - Teriyaki

Last in the series on Riley's Jerky is this Teriyaki beef jerky. Read my reviews of other flavors from Riley's Jerky.

Riley's Jerky is based out of Greenville, CA founded in 1980 by Riley Burkholder. Today it's run by Britt Burkholder and Bradley Bentz. Up until now, Riley's Jerky was only available in local stores throughout Northern California. But recently they launched a website and now have online ordering installed.

All their jerky is hand cut into chunks and contains no added preservatives.

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Riley's Jerky - Peppered

Next in the series on Riley's Jerky is this Peppered Beef Jerky. See my previous reviews of their Cajun, Jalapeno, and Original varieties.

Riley's Jerky is based out of Greenville, CA founded in 1980 by Riley Burkholder. Today it's run by Britt Burkholder and Bradley Bentz. Up until now, Riley's Jerky was only available in local stores throughout Northern California. But recently they launched a website and are working on getting online ordering installed.

All their jerky is hand cut into chunks and contains no added preservatives.

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Desert Star Texas Style Brisket - Sweet & Hot

Next up in the series on Desert Star Texas Style Brisket is this Sweet & Hot variety. See my previous review of their Original variety.

Desert Star is a brand of Prime Snax, Inc., based out of Salt Lake City, UT. They make two lines of jerky under this brand, this Texas Style Brisket, which is a brisket cut into thin strips, and a plain Beef Jerky much like what you get with the major brands. The Texas Style Brisket I'm reviewing here is the company's newest line, having been produced for about a year now, but is just starting to hit stores nationwide.

Prime Snax also owns other brands including Arizona Jacks, Chipper, and Nature's Snack. They also make jerky for other companies including Perky Jerky.

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Clint & Sons Beef Jerky - Original

Clint & Sons is a meat processing facility located in White Deer, TX. The business has been family owned since Clint Freeman opened it up in 1944. Today it's run by his sons and grandchildren.

The company's primary business is in custom slaughtering and processing, but beef jerky is a popular product of theirs. They also operate a BBQ restaurant, and manufacture other snack food products.

Clint & Sons offers two flavors of beef jerky at this time, this Original variety and a Hot variety which I'll review later.

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Desert Star Texas Style Brisket - Original

Desert Star is a brand of Prime Snax, Inc., based out of Salt Lake City, UT.

Prime Snax makes two lines of jerky under the Desert Star brand, this Texas Style Brisket, which is a brisket cut into thin strips, and a plain Beef Jerky much like what you get with the major brands. The Texas Style Brisket I'm reviewing here is the company's newest line, having been produced for about a year now, but is just starting to hit stores nationwide.

Prime Snax also owns other brands including Arizona Jacks, Chipper, and Nature's Snack. They also make jerky for other companies including Perky Jerky.

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Mingua Beef Jerky - Cajun Style

Next in the series on Mingua Beef Jerky is this Cajun Style. See my previous reviews of their Mild and Hot varieties.

The Paris, KY-based brand got started in 1993 when Ronnie Mingua (pronounced Ming-Ghee), a tobacco farmer, was watching a television informercial on the Ronco food dehydrator, and decided he had to get one. It took about a year until he perfected a recipe, and started selling his jerky to folks all over the State of Kentucky.

Eventually he and his brother built a USDA approved facility and designed their own meat dehydrators, and expanded production. Instead of farming tobacco, Mingua has now shifted to beef jerky manufacturing and sells it to stores all across the eastern USA.

Mingua Beef Jerky is made without preservatives and no nitrites.

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Mingua Beef Jerky - Hot

Next up in the series on Mingua Beef Jerky is this Hot variety. See my previous review of their Mild Beef Jerky.

The company, based in Paris, KY, got started in 1993 when a tobacco farmed named Ronnie Mingua (pronounced Ming-Ghee), was watching a television informercial on the Ronco food dehydrator, and decided he had to get one. After trying out various recipes for a year, he settled on one and found himself selling jerky to folks all over the State of Kentucky.

Eventually he and his brother built a USDA approved facility and designed their own meat dehydrators, and expanded production. The Minguas shifted from tobacco farming to beef jerky manufacturing and are selling it to stores all across the eastern USA.

Mingua Beef Jerky is made without preservatives and no nitrites.

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Mingua Beef Jerky - Mild

Mingua Beef Jerky is a beef jerky manufacturer based in Paris, KY.

The company got started in 1993 when Ronnie Mingua (pronounced Ming-Ghee), a tobacco farmer, bought a Ronco food dehydrator after watching one of those late-night infomercials. A year later and he found himself in business, selling jerky to folks all over the State of Kentucky.

Eventually he and his brother built a USDA approved facility and designed their own meat dehydrators, and expanded production. Now, the Minguas rely on beef jerky sales to keep the family going, and are selling it to stores all across the eastern USA.

Mingua Beef Jerky is made without preservatives and no nitrites.

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Cedar Creek Beef Jerky - Original

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky is a brand of Cedar Creek Enterprise, of El Dorado Springs, MO. The company makes jerky in its own USDA approved facility.

The company had been owned by a guy named Terrance M. Ebeltoft until he died just this month. He ran the business since 1990.

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. They say their ovens are all homemade, and that they literally make their jerky one piece at a time.

And since Missouri is known as the "Show Me State", this jerky package has a tagline that reads, "Show me a better jerky".

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Jedidiah's Jerky - Old Fashion Style Original

Jedidiah's Jerky is a brand of Jedidiah's Jerky and Gourmet Snacks, of Laughlin, NV. I've reviewed several of their jerky varieties over the past, read them all.

This "Old Fashion Style" is a new line of jerky to their portfolio of varieties, which also includes a Premium line, and a Private Reserve line.

My idea of Old Fashion Style beef jerky is something thick, dry, and chewy, with a simple recipe free of preservatives and automated machinery. Jedidiah's website says this is tenderized however, and goes on to say that this is how jerky was made, "back in the day".

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