Boozy Jerky is a distinctive beef jerky brand that artfully combines tender cuts of meat with the rich flavors of craft beer and spirits. Founded in 2018 by two seasoned entrepreneurs with backgrounds in private label jerky production for wineries and breweries, as well as direct-to-consumer jerky subscriptions, the company set out to create a product that stands apart from traditional offerings. Rejecting the idea of producing another generic jerky, they focused on innovation, infusing their products with unique alcoholic flavors to enhance the snacking experience.
Each variety of Boozy Jerky is marinated for 24 to 48 hours in carefully selected craft beers or spirits, such as pilsners, IPAs, lagers, or bourbon, and then seasoned with complementary spices. This meticulous process results in jerky that is not only flavorful but also tender and easy to chew. Notably, while real alcohol is used in the marination process, the final product contains no residual alcohol, making it safe for all ages. The jerky is also gluten-free, high in protein, and suitable for various dietary preferences, including keto and paleo diets.
Boozy Jerky delivers a premium product that appeals to both meat snack enthusiasts and craft beverage aficionados by focusing on small-batch production and using locally sourced craft beers. Their commitment to quality and innovation has positioned them as a unique player in the meat snack industry. This Boozy Jerky brand is distributed under the name Boozy Jerky, LLC, and it is located in Otsego, Minnesota. The jerky is manufactured by Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California.
The next review on Boozy Jerky will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their Cinnamon Peanut Butter Whiskey flavored brisket beef jerky. This flavor is described as being combined with allergen free peanut butter extract & cinnamon whiskey, finished with a dusting of cinnamon, and a sweet lover’s dream like candied bacon. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by Co-Founder & Chief Boozy Officer R. Shaun Gray.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Uncured Bacon – No Nitrites or Nitrates Except Those Naturally Occurring In Celery Powder and Sea Salt (Pork, Water, Sea Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavors), Brown Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Fireball Whiskey (Canadian Whiskey, Cinnamon Sweetener), Water, Ground Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Butter Buds (Butter Alternative (Malto-Dextrin, Salt, Butter, Guar Gum, Buttermilk Solids, Natural Butter Flavor, Baking Soda, Natural Flavors, Annatto, Vitamin E and Turmeric (For Color)), Vanilla Extract, Peanut Butter Flavoring (Alcohol, Monopropylene Glycol and Natural Flavors), Tamari Sauce (Water, Sugar, Soybeans, Salt. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The cut of beef brisket 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 not so healthy Fireball whiskey, water, healthy maple syrup, not so healthy peanut butter flavoring, which includes alcohol and monopropylene glycol, and a well respected brand of gluten free tamari sauce.
The only healthy ingredient added is cinnamon. Butter buds are added, where there is controversy about whether this product removes fat and cholesterol, and whether it is a healthy option or not, given the processing involved.
The sugar level is relatively high at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or under per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is also somewhat high at 450mg 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 any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BOOZY JERKY – CINNAMON PEANUT BUTTER WHISKEY BACON JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell only cinnamon, and basically nothing else. The jerky strips are large in size. The jerky is dry and chewy, exactly as our forefathers intended. These strips leave no oily residue on your fingers.
Caveat, I personally detest peanut butter. It is by far my least favorite thing to eat in the entire world.
However, as I consume this jerky, I taste no peanut butter whatsoever (thank God). I taste copious amounts of cinnamon, it is the flavor that carries the overall flavor. I taste no peanut butter, but I also taste no whiskey, and the bacon flavor is about as slight as possible. I taste mild salt, overbearing sweet (likely from the cinnamon), along with very mild pepper and also very mild garlic.
The cinnamon, which I mentioned earlier, is by a country mile the most prevalent flavor. Too sweet, with no discernible peanut butter, whiskey, or bacon flavor, this flavor is, by no means, impressive to me. Thankful that I don’t taste the peanut butter, but there is little, if anything else, that is impressive to me. A 5/10 in my opinion. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Cinnamon Peanut Butter Whiskey brisket beef jerky flavor from Boozy Jerky “Thanks Paul for the upfront taste review. We have some disagreements here. The first day especially, I was able to pick up on the whiskey, which uses Fireball Whiskey, well known for containing cinnamon. Paul has a long history of rarely picking up on whiskey flavors, which is a challenging flavor to preserve. I was also able to pick up on the peanut butter flavor, albeit it was a fake peanut flavor. This is coming from somebody who ate peanut butter and jam sandwiches almost every single day for many years as a child.”
“I agree with Paul that the cinnamon flavor comes across well, but I would not say in copious amounts, which is an unusual ingredient to use on jerky in the first place. The one aspect I do agree with Paul on is that the bacon flavor does not come across well but still tastes great. While this jerky is sweet tasting it does not go overboard. Like Paul, we would like to see to see next to no sweetness to brighten up the cinnamon/peanut butter/whiskey and bacon taste profile.”
“I do give Boozy Jerky full credit for this creative, bold, and unique flavor. It was an experience that I will not soon forget. With Paul at a 5 and myself at a 9, a Decent (7/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2 ounce/56 gram bag of jerky sells online for $9.99. That works out to $5.00 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This black, resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The logo of the Boozy Jerky displays what could be construed as a drunk cow’s head. The bag has an illustration of Fireball Whiskey in a glass with fire coming out of it.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only facts printed are “Made with Real Whiskey”, “Limited Edition”, and “Partner Pairing”.
Some missing bag category is a blurb about Boozy Jerky or this flavor and a soy allergen alert.
Order their jerky online: www.boozyjerky.com
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