Drop Zone is a hunting show on the Outdoor Channel. It was started by two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion crew chief Greg Zipadelli (Greg was Tony Stewards’ crew chief) and Hal Shaffer. Since their first encounter on a hunt in Kentucky seven years ago, the duo are now close friends who share a common passion for the outdoors. Team DZ is never staged or simulated – it truly is what it is: a half-hour of fun, excitement and priceless knowledge for hunters of all skill levels thrown in as icing on the cake.
Shiners Stash partnered with Drop Zone in 2019. The jerky is centered on hunters out on hunts as a light snack The two flavors for Drop Zone ranch and smokey rub were inspired by Chef Swen Altis. Drop Zone is distributed under the name of Drop Zone Hunting, and they are based out of Mooresvile, North Carolina. This jerky is not secretly manufactured by private labeler (Co-packer) Shiners Stash, LLC. based out of Conover, North Carolina.
The next review for Drop Zone will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Smokey Rub flavored beef jerky. This Smokey Rub beef jerky flavor is described as using only the finest in quality seasonings that have rich smoke & a pleasant cayenne heat finish. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by Shiners Stash Co-Owner, Beth Altis.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef (Eye Round), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Beef Flavor (Cooked Beef, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Dextrose, Sea Salt, Maltodextrin, Onion Powder, Sugar, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate), Smoky Rub (Sugar, Salt, Chili Peppers, Natural Smoke Flavor, Paprika, Potassium Sorbate (A Food Preservative). 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 just a decent brand of soy sauce.
The sugar level is high at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar and under per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is fairly low at 220mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky, but it tastes salty.
This jerky does not qualify to be sodium nitrite free, as similar potassium sorbate is used as a preservative to lose a rating.
This flavor does not qualify to be MSG free as the flavor enhancers disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are used to lose a rating, which work synergistically to enhance the flavor. Lastly, the highly processed, cheap flavor enhancers hydrolyzed soy protein and hydrolyzed corn protein are used to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell awesome. I have received one large slab of jerky. It is obviously large in size, and it is sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and dry, and it leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
Now, I’ve covered the necessary. Now it’s time to assess the jerky itself. I detect salt, pepper, spice (but from what?), smoke, soy, garlic, and onion.
Holy flippin’ crap, this jerky is “crack in a bag”!! I’m overwhelmed with the spectacular flavours I am experiencing from this particular jerky. It is hitting on all cylinders. Put this in a car engine, it will win the Indianapolis 500, feed this to a horse, it will win the Kentucky Derby, feed this to a hockey player and he will score a hat trick. Feed this to a jerky connoisseur, and he will wax poetic about it forever.
Drop Zone, are you a dispensary or a jerky maker (my attempt at levity). You guys rock!! A colossal, top tier, kick my *ss 10/10, a monster moon shot, hit-it-into-the-stratosphere grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, out of the ballpark. Drop Zone, take a deep bow, I’m a disciple… Two thumbs way up!!!👍👍”
Here is what Mark had to say about this Smokey Rub beef jerky flavor from Drop Zone: “Another great review Paul where Stéphane and I agree. This jerky texture is fantastic and unique. The smokey flavor comes across well. For an original based flavor, there is a good level of natural beef flavor present. There is a surprisingly high amount of spiciness from the cayenne pepper, at least reaching a 2 out of 5 on the heat scale.
A 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $8.50. That works out to $2.83 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything printed directly on the bag itself, both on the front and back. The Drop Zone logo has deer antlers. There is a drawing of a deer in the outdoors on the front of the bag.
A slogan printed on this bag could be “Greg Zipadellis Drop Zone”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Lightweight Outdoor Snack”, Veteran Owned”, “22g Protein Per Serving”, “Made in the USA”, “Produced in a Peanut-Free Environment Facility”, and “Low in Carbs”.
All bag categories are covered with this bag. You are encouraged to follow Team DZ on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. A good blurb is printed on the back about Drop Zone and Shiners Stash.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.shinersstashjerky.com/products/dropzone
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