The next review for Shiners Stash will be on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Cheddar ‘N Parm flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as using sharp Cheddar cheese in combination with grated Parmesan to create a choice cut beef jerky. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by the owner, Swen Altis.
This Shiners Stash brand name is located in the foothills of Conover, North Carolina, and is 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 over 20 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 Round Eye of Round Roast Boneless Separable Lean Only Trimmed to 0″ Fat, Select Raw Cheddar (Milk Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Color)), Potassium Sorbate (Mold Inhibitor , Spray Outer of Product), Parmesan (Milk Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Cheddar Cheese, Pasteurized Milk, Sugar, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Buttermilk, Salt, Butter (Cream Extract, Salt), Disodium Phosphate, Annatto Extract (Annatto and Beta Carotene, Beef Broth (Cooked Beef, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Dextrose, Sea Salt, Maltodextrin, Onion Powder, Sugar, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate), Sea Salt with Black Pepper, Sea Salt, Tapioca, Starch, & Less Than 1% Cotton Seed Oil (As a Processing Aid), Natural Flavor. 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.
There are no liquid ingredients used in the marinade. Instead,
raw Cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese are used. Minimally processed cheeses are a good source of calcium, and some vitamins.
The sugar level is great at under 1 gram of sugar per 43 grams (1.5oz) of jerky. The salt level is low at 260mg of salt per 43 grams (1.5oz) of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, where similar potassium sorbate is used as the main preservative, apart from minimally processed sea salt.
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.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are large in size, and they are sliced to a medium thickness, almost thick. Liberal amounts of cheese are visible on each strip. The texture is between dry and tender, with a great chewing texture. There are no signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves a little oily residue on your fingers.
It does not take long for the taste of Cheddar cheese to become apparent, which is authentic tasting. As you chew more, the Parmesan cheese finishes off the flavor. Quite an accomplishment here skillfully combining cheeses with beef jerky to provide a memorable eating experience.
No sweetness is present, which allows a good amount of natural beef flavor, and accentuated even more from the beef base. At light levels are salt, soy, and black pepper. Overall, there is an ample amount of cheese flavor present.
A 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $10.00. That works out to $3.33 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. This Cheddar ‘N Parm flavor is a must try for any fan of Cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
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”.
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 like them on Facebook, and Shiners Stash are a proud member of gottobeNC.com.
Order their jerky online: www.shinersstashjerky.com
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