The first review for Van Cleave Dry Goods (aka VC Dry Goods) will be on a 3.05 ounce/86.4 gram bag of their G Dub! flavored beef jerky. This original based flavor was kindly submitted for review by Adam Van Cleave.
The Van Cleave Dry Goods jerky brand name is based out of Frisco, Texas. Their jerky is distributed under the name of Van Cleave Dry Goods LLC., also located in Frisco, Texas. This Van Cleave Dry Goods jerky brand name was launched in October 2014. Using an excerpt from their web site, this is how they describe their jerky: “We see it as our patriotic jerky duty to improve the state of the jerky nation”. Their jerky is made in small batches that is marinated for over 12 hours.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Tamri (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Wheat, Alcohol, Glucose), Onion, Garlic, Spices, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
100% Certified American-raised Angus beef is used in this jerky. It has been confirmed that the cattle have quite a bit of free range access to graze on grass, and roam about. As another bonus, the cattle used are ethically raised. There are no growth hormones given, and no antibiotics administered either.
The entire liquid marinade is comprised of only tamri soy sauce. As with all of their ingredients, this is a high quality soy sauce. You can tell just by the taste.
Super healthy onion and garlic are used, which are always a great choice for jerky. There are also healthy spices used.
While the nutrition facts are not readily available, we are assured that the sugar level is low The taste of this jerky attests to that. Also, the salt level is on the low side.
The only preservative used here is salt. That qualifies this jerky to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives.
Disappointingly, this jerky does use the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). As a result, the highest ingredient rating possible is a Good (8/10) rating.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These are mostly large strips of beef that are sliced thin. This is your classic dry jerky texture that is chewy. There are some signs of fat that add to the overall flavor. Handling this jerky leaves no residue on your fingers.
Without a doubt the first taste detected is a strong soy flavor. It is a surprisingly strong soy flavor that remains consistent as you eat more strips. What really puts this flavor over the top is a medium level of underrated tasting onion. To a lesser extent the garlic enhances this overall flavor also.
There is a moderate saltiness in this flavor. As for the sweetness, this jerky is only mildly sweet tasting at best. This G Dub! flavor is advertised to be their original flavor, where typically the natural beef flavor should be strong tasting. The overall flavor is so strong, it tends to mask the beef flavor.
This 3.05 ounce/86.4 gram bag sells online for $8.00. That equates to $2.62 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. For anybody who appreciates the taste of soy, this jerky is surely worth your money. This is the type of jerky where the bag is empty before you know it.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag is a bit narrower than most, where the contents appear quite full. There are professional labels affixed to both the front and back of this bag.
The Van Cleave Dry Goods logo is the initials ‘V.C.’ in what may be conceived as a wagon wheel. Their slogan is “Superior Quality. Superior Flavor”. There are several facts printed on this bag such as “No Nitrites”, “High Protein”, “Made in the USA”, and “Genuine Craft Jerky”.
There are some missing bag categories such as no nutrition facts table, no bar code, no hole at the top of the bag to hang on hooks, and no USDA inspected stamp. In fairness, these are not requirements for Van Cleave Dry Goods. At this time, they do not sell wholesale yet.
The back of the bag has two great blurbs about Van Cleave Dry Goods, and this G Dub! flavor. Also, to their credit, an email address is provided for customer inquiries or feedback.
Order their jerky online: www.vcdrygoods.com
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