The first review for Shiners Stash will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Sweet ‘N Spicy flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as a wonderful blend of Asian flavors, with ginger, garlic, and a perfect hint of sweet & touch of heat. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by the owner, Swen Altis.
This Shiners Stash brand name is located in the foothills of Conover, North Carolina, and distributed under the name of Shiners Stash Jerky Company. Executive Chef Swen, an avid hunter, started making jerky for his friends and neighbors. While having a successful career, in 2016, Swen quit his full-time job, and launched this Shiners Stash Jerky Company. Starting as a cook in the US Army, Swen became a certified chef. Swen’s last job was as an executive chef in the higher education industry. Impressively, there are 27 flavors available, which includes beef/pork jerky and beef sticks. Backed by Swen’s wife Beth, friends, and family, they are committed & continuously strive to set “THAT BAR!”.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef (Eye Round), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate), Sugar, Sherry Wine, Rice Starch, Rice Vinegar, Less Than 2% Sesame Seed, Yeast Extract, Ginger Puree, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Brown Sugar, Teriyaki Marinade (Sugar, Water, Soy Sauce Concentrate, Molasses, Salt, Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Distilled Vinegar, Barley Malt Extract Contains Gluten, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Glucose Syrup Solids, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate), Beef Base (Cooked Beef, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Dextrose, Sea Salt, Maltodextrin, Onion Powder, Sugar, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate), Garlic Powder, Spice, Ground Ginger, Red Pepper Flakes, Cinnamon. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an average soy sauce, decent sherry wine, healthy rice vinegar, and a poor teriyaki marinade (less than 2%).
There are some healthy ingredients used such as sesame seeds, ginger puree, garlic powder, onion powder, spices, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon.
The sugar level is high at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. For a sweet based flavor as we have here, our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is respectable at 330mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Up to two preservatives are allowed in sauces, where we have three preservatives used here. Sodium benzoate is listed in the soy sauce twice, and the teriyaki marinade. Salt is the main preservative, and to a lesser degree rice vinegar.
This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added. The highly processed flavor enhancers hydrolyzed soy protein and hydrolyzed corn protein are used in the beef base. Similar to MSG, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate work synergistically to enhance the flavor of food, in this case beef. Autolyzed yeast extract used in the teriyaki marinade is a cheaper version of MSG.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are medium to large in size, and are sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is wonderful, mainly dry, but surprisingly easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves a slightly oily residue on your fingers.
Right away you are greeted with a complex blend of flavors. Soy is perhaps the most dominant flavor. Add in a mild level of garlic, and a light level of ginger. The saltiness is at a mild level, and a light level of black pepper is present.
The spiciness as advertised is just a touch, a 1.5 out of 5 on a heat scale at most. The sweetness is also light tasting, largely muted to the intense beef base flavor. As advertised, this flavor does take on an Asian flare. Overall, not being overly sweet or spicy tasting, this flavor delivers with its awesome texture and bold flavor.
A 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $8.50. That works out to $2.83 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. While not having a good ingredient list, this flavor is exceptionally tasty leaving you wanting more.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear resealable bag has labels affixed to both the front and back. The bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting. The Shiners Stash logo is a man with a rather large, bushy beard.
Their slogans are “Get Your Own!” and “Made in Foothills of NC”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made in the USA” and “Proud member of got to be NC.com”.
The only minor bag category missing is the jerky weight not stated in grams. There is a very good blurb printed on the back about Shiners Stash. You are encouraged to follow them on Facebook.
Order their jerky online: www.shinersstashjerky.com
So find this to be one of the better tasting jerkies I have tried. Being a NC product has its own benefits. I believe the chef did an excellent job with this product.
Thank you Mr Williams. I appreciate your kind remarks & we will continue to hit that bar & exceed it. I believe this would be a great mention to AVI heads.