Launched 20 years ago, Summit Snacks is the Pacific Northwest’s proprietary beef jerky line, crafted to deliver both high quality and excellent value. Operated by a multi-generation family with over 40 route trucks, it is developed in-house to ensure complete control over every aspect of production from ingredients to packaging. The brand reflects a commitment to delivering “a distinctive and memorable snacking experience” for customers in Western Washington and Oregon. Customers frequently praise its full-bodied flavor and softer, more tender texture, all offered at a value driven price point.
This Summit Snacks jerky brand is distributed under the name of Inderbitzin Distribution, located in Puyallup, Washington. Inderbitzin Distribution was founded in 1979 by Dick Inderbitzin. This jerky is manufactured by Glenwood Snacks, LLC., and is located in Saint Anthony, Idaho, likely making this a stock recipe.
The next review of Summit Snacks will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Sweet and Hot flavored beef jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted for review by Sales & Marketing Director, Doug McKeen.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Less Than 2% of: Salt, Honey, Apple Juice Concentrate, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Sodium Nitrite. 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 used here is comprised of water and small amounts of healthy honey, healthy apple juice concentrate, and healthy lemon juice concentrate.
The vague term natural flavors is listed, which can contain both healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is extremely high at 13 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor, as we have here. The salt level is very high at 530mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SUMMIT SNACKS – SWEET AND HOT BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell something sweet. The pieces are generally big in size and cut thick. The jerky is quite rigid, in line with our forefathers.
When I bite into the jerky, I am met with salt, sweet, pepper, garlic, and slight onion, but the flavor that is by far and away taking center stage is the heat. It is at a fantastic level. Overall, this particular jerky is leaving me wanting more. A no-doubter 10/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Sweet and Spicy beef jerky flavor from Summit Snacks: “Thanks Paul for the succinct taste review. I am in total agreement. This flavor delivers on the sweetness without going overboard and has a solid level of heat. On a heat scale, it’s around a 2 out of 4 or possibly 3 out of 5. The overall taste profile is relatively simple, where no flavor stands out other than the heat and sweetness.”
“The beef has no hint whatsoever of tasting processed. As Paul mentioned, this jerky tastes like more, making it hard not to finish my portion in one sitting. Take a bow Summit Snacks, a unanimous Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded. A very enthusiastic two thumbs up!!👍👍”
This 3 ounce/855 gram bag of jerky costs $8.99. That works out to $3.00 an ounce, which rates as a borderline cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear, resealable plastic bag has labels affixed to both the front and the back. There are illustrations of pine trees and a mountain, which has a summit in the middle of the words Summit Snacks, both on the front and back.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Made in the USA”, “No MSG”, and “Gluten Free”.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb about Summit Snacks or this flavor and a company website. To the credit of Summit Snacks, a toll free phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
Check out their jerky: https://inderbitzin.com/summit-snacks
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