I first discovered Branding Iron beef jerky back in 2010 on a trip to California. The brand name may be named JW Branding Iron. The ingredient list has since been cleaned up by removing MSG and sodium nitrite. This Branding Iron jerky brand is distributed under the name of J.W. Distributing Inc., and it is located in Lindon, California, USA. This Branding Iron jerky brand is manufactured by the private labeler company Werner Gourmet Meat Snacks Inc., and it is located in Tillamook, Oregon.
The next review on Branding Iron will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Garlic flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a gas station in Oxnard, California, USA.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Garlic, Celery Powder, Gluten Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt). Allergen Warnings: Soy
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 consists of a gluten free soy sauce.
The sugar level is on the high side at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of sugar to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 620mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt level is ignored because healthy, minimally processed sea salt is used.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, sea salt and, to a lesser degree, celery powder acts as the main preservatives. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BRANDING IRON – GARLIC BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I immediately smell garlic and soy. The pieces are small and thin, soft and chewy, and leave no oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I pick up on salt at a decent level, sweet, a decent level, garlic, onion, soy, and some natural beef. I also believe I am tasting that “buttery” flavor in this jerky. Not 100% sure, but I do detect it to a certain degree.
While I am somewhat enjoying this flavor, it is not coming through near enough on the advertised garlic flavor.
Nothing is jumping out at me as far as the flavor goes. As I eat more, the sweetness increases to the point where my enjoyment level decreases. Sorry gentlemen, I can go no higher than an 8/10, but a 7/10 might be a little more accurate.
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Branding Iron – Garlic Beef Jerky is aromatic and tasty. The level of garlic is unmistakable, as I could smell the garlic from six feet away while it was still in the baggy. The salt and soya levels are reasonable and do not hijack the flavor profile. The garlic flavor is also at a perfect level, and the sweetness is on the higher end of the spectrum. I enjoy this jerky; it reminds me of a Honey and Garlic flavor. The flavor of the beef, the aroma, and the texture are all very pleasant, and they create a favorable and balanced flavor profile.
I truly enjoyed the Branding Iron – Garlic Beef Jerky, and my only issue is the sweetness being at a level where it would warrant being stated in its title. I’d rate this jerky 8 or 9/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Garlic beef jerky flavor from Branding Iron: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. When I bagged up Paul’s portion, the bag had a hole for a day. I suspect that the taste of garlic dissipated as fresh garlic tends to do over time when exposed to oxygen. The garlic flavor is at a solid level with no complaints there.”
“True in that there is too much sweetness present, one of my pet peeves with jerky. Agreed with Stéphane in that the overall taste profile is well-balanced with the sweetness notwithstanding. I found the garlic flavor addictive, a sucker for the taste of garlic. The beef is not ‘buttery’ tasting but pretty good for big brand jerky. With Paul at a 7, and Stéphane and I wavering with 8 or 9 ratings, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded”.
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky is believed to have been sold for $8.25, which equates to $2.75 an ounce. That rates as an average price.
Bag Review
This resealable stock jerky plastic bag has labels affixed to the front and back with some thing imprinted directly on the bag.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made in USA” and “Natural Wood Smoked”.
Some missing bag categories are the jerky weight not stated in grams, a blurb about this jerky and/or flavor, graphics, quite a bit of unused space, and a soy allergen alert. To the credit of Branding Iron, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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