Established in 2013, Smokehouse Jerky Co. has grown significantly over the past decade, becoming a leading private label provider for over 150 jerky and snack companies. Franco and Patti Fonseca assumed company ownership in 2017 and have since been dedicated to refining their jerky and snack lines. Operating under the name Tender Heifer Snack Co., Smokehouse Jerky Co. actively seeks new distributors nationwide and offers private label services.
With a diverse product range, Smokehouse Jerky Co. presents an array of options, including beef, bacon, game, and exotic jerky, as well as meat sticks. The brand Smokehouse Jerky Co. is distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., which is headquartered in Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of their Beer Flavored meat sticks. This flavor is described as being a unique snack that combines the rich, savory taste of meat with the bold, hoppy flavor of the beer. The meat sticks were kindly submitted for review by co-owner Franco Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Beef, Water, Salt, Natural Beef Flavor (contains Maltodextrin, Beer (Malted Barley, Corn Syrup, Hops, Yeast)), Corn Syrup Solids, Dextrose, Spices (including Whole Mustard Seed), Garlic Powder, Encapsulated Citric Acid (Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Nitrite. Stuffed in Colored Collagen Casing
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically with no antibiotics or added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam outside. The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones. 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.
Some healthy ingredients listed are garlic powder, mustard seeds, and spices.
The sugar level is 0 grams of sugar per 25 grams of meat stick. The salt level is acceptable at 360mg of salt per 25 grams of meat stick.
Unhealthy sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in this meat stick along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating. Admirably, this meat stick qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – BEER FLAVORED MEAT STICKS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell conclusively nothing. The meat stick is the same as most other meat sticks in size, length, and hue. The meat stick is very pliable, not what I would declare to be how our forefathers intended.
The first flavor I encounter is salt, at a perfect level. Also, some sweet, but not to a disruptive level. Then the pepper kicks in, along with the garlic, both at very decent levels. I have to say there is no “snap” to the collagen casing, thereby losing a point. But the meat stick itself is extremely tasty, surging with delectable flavors, making this meat stick experience a most enjoyable one. A well deserved 9/10, it is definitely something I would review again at a later date. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I am rather impressed with the SJC – Beer Meat Stick. I expected to taste a strong beer or fermentation flavor, but this wasn’t the case. I don’t think I would have been able to tell if I hadn’t known, and that’s a good thing. This meat stick is tasty, and the flavor is well balanced. The smokiness is also at a great level, and it helps this meat stick tremendously, as it adds decadence to the product.
The aroma and texture are fine, but there is nothing to start swinging from the chandeliers. I’d rate this meat stick an 8 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Beer Flavored meat stick flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the accurate taste reviews. We all see eye to eye here. This beer meat stick is very flavorful with a well-balanced taste profile. We know from experience that it is challenging to translate the taste of beer to a meat stick or jerky. Yes, there was a foreign taste present. As a beer lover, I could not identify that foreign taste as tasting like beer for the life of me. Nonetheless, these beer meat sticks tasted great. A rating is deducted for the texture lacking a ‘snap’. A unanimous Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of meat sticks sells online for $9.99. That works out to $2.85 an ounce, which is rated as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This non-resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to both the front and back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Smokehouse” sign.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only fact printed on this bag is “Made in U.S.A.”.
The only missing bag category is a best before date. A batch number is printed, which can translate to the best before date.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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