Rock Ridge Jerky, created by husband and wife Chris and Kristina Hill is proud to share their journey in tasty brisket beef jerky with you. In 2017, they started their business and have featured brisket beef Jerky in their local farmer’s markets here in Southern California. Enjoying the one on one in person and hands on way of starting a business in the good old USA! Along the way, find great people and customers that LOVE to eat our jerky. Laughing and visiting with weekly jerky lovers of all kinds! There is nothing like seeing a smile or a nod of the head that says hello as we yell out, “BRISKET BEEF JERKY”. What a great way to spend a sunny California day.
Chris and Kristina have been in retail with fairs and festivals for over 30 years. The brisket cut of beef used is sourced from California and is consistent, tender, and bursting with flavor. This Rock Ridge Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Rock Ridge Jerky, and it is located in Marina Del Ray, California. This Rock Ridge Jerky brand is manufactured by the private label company Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California, making this a stock recipe.
The first review on Rock Ridge Jerky will focus on a 7 ounce/198 gram bag of their Smoky Bar-B flavored beef brisket jerky. This flavor is described as being packed with all the good stuff – Tamari sauce, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne, onion, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh cracked black pepper, and that smoky BBQ taste. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by co-owner Kristina Hill.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Gluten Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Tomato Sauce (Fresh Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Sea Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavors, Spices, Citric Acid), Mesquite Liquid Smoke (Water, Natural Mesquite Smoke Concentrate), Granulated Onion, Granulated Garlic, Ground Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cumin. Allergen Warnings: Soy
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. Brisket is considered to be one of the best cuts of beef to use for jerky. 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 used here is comprised of a decent brand of gluten-free soy sauce, healthy tomato sauce, and one of the best liquid smokes out there, mesquite liquid smoke.
There are some healthy ingredients used, such as granulated garlic, granulated onion, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
The sugar level is very low for a sweet based flavor, as we have here only 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is extremely low at only 85mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, and this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative used. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
ROCK RIDGE JERKY – SMOKY BAR-B BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I immediately smell the barbecue. The pieces are large, and they are sliced thin to medium in thickness. The jerky is quite soft and pliable and not my favorite texture. There is a shine, no, more of a sparkle to this jerky, but I am not quite sure why. The strips of jerky have a dark hue, which indicates a high concentration of marinade. There is a slight oily residue left on your fingertips as you handle the jerky.
The first flavors I encounter are salt, at a decent level, sweet, at an extremely high level, and way too high for my liking. I also detect the barbecue flavor, as well as very slight garlic, almost not detectable.
I have been asked to consume more than just a strip, so I shall, but I must take a swig of beer to counteract the intense sweetness. I have to say, I expected more of a “wow” factor from this jerky, as it has been brought to my attention that this is essentially “Smokehouse” jerky, which we have loved in the past. Sorry, but I am, at least to this point, not much impressed with this particular flavor. I’m on my third strip and cannot get myself past the intense sweet I am tasting. Sorry folks, too much sweet and not enough other flavors to sway my decision. I cannot with a conscious mind, award any more than a 6/10, which to me, is already being generous. I will settle with that, a 6/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Rock Ridge Jerky – Smoky Bar-B Beef Jerky is tasty. I really enjoy its aroma and tender texture. The flavor is what’s expected from a Barbecue flavor. There is a really nice smokiness with a hint of spiciness, and it wakes up the taste buds. The saltiness is right on par, the spiciness is light and adds to the flavor profile. There is a significant sweetness as expected from such a flavor and the texture has a somewhat sticky or candied texture.
The Rock Ridge Jerky – Smoky Bar-B Beef Jerky has a pleasant depth of flavor. If I could add my grain of salt, I would balance the sweetness and brighten all the flavors with an extra splash of citrus or some other acidity. I believe this jerky has most of the right elements, and a little tweak would push it into the stratosphere. I’d rate this jerky 9/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Smoky Bar-B beef brisket jerky flavor from Rock Ridge Jerky: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the candid taste reviews. I definitely side with Stéphane here. Yes, this barbecue flavor is sweet tasting, but that is par for the course on a barbecue based flavor, which generally is sweet by default. Initially, the sweetness does come across as quite strong tasting, but something then seems to counteract the sweetness. As advertised, this brisket texture is soft and tender to a certain degree, being relatively easy to chew.”
“The smokiness flavor comes across decently, and the saltiness is at a mild level. The spiciness that Stéphane refers to is light at best. Overall, the taste profile works well, with no single flavor sticking out other than the sweetness itself. I undoubtedly would have pegged this as a barbecue flavor if I were blindfolded. With Paul at a 6 rating and Stéphane and myself at a 9 rating, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 7 ounce/198 gram bag of jerky sells online for $20. That works out to $2.85 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has a label affixed on the front and nothing on the back. The Rock Ridge Jerky logo has a man depicted dressed in entirely black.
There are no slogans printed. Some facts printed on this bags are “Gourmet Brisket”, “No Added MSG”, “Handcrafted”, “Made in USA”, “Solid Steak Strips”, “Gluten Free”, and “Low In Fat”.
All bag categories are covered but one. There is no blurb printed about Rock Ridge Jerky or this flavor. You are encouraged to follow Rock Ridge Jerky on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Order their jerky online: www.rockridgejerky.com
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