Goldrush specializes in premium beef jerky, beef sticks, and smoked meat snacks. Founded in 1997, Goldrush was created from a passion for traditional beef jerky and has built its reputation on slow cooked, smoked products made with premium cuts of beef, quality seasonings, and a focus on a tender, flavorful bite. The brand’s name reflects the pioneering spirit of the original gold miners, connecting its products to the idea of durable, adventure ready food that could fuel long journeys.
Goldrush’s meat stick lineup includes individually wrapped beef sticks and larger bulk snack sticks, designed as convenient, protein packed snacks for everyday eating, travel, and outdoor activities. The company highlights its artisan approach, using carefully developed recipes and smoking processes to create a softer, juicier texture compared with traditional dry jerky. Goldrush products are made with the company emphasizing quality standards, USDA inspection, and SQF Level 2 certification as part of its commitment to food safety and consistency.
This Goldrush beef stick brand is distributed under the name Goldrush Farms, and it is located in Litchfield, Ohio. This jerky is manufactured by Medina Foods, which is also located in Litchfield, Ohio.
The first review on Goldrush will focus on a 7 ounce/196 gram bag of Spicy flavored beef stick. This bag was purchased at a convenience store in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Salt, Corn Syrup, Spices, Monosodium Glutamate, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Garlic Powder, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite.
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.
Some healthy ingredients added are spices and garlic powder.
The sugar level is not listed in the Nutrition Facts table. As a result, the exact sugar level is unknown. The salt level is high at 490mg of salt per 28 grams of beef stick to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of beef stick.
While not listed in the ingredient list, the artificial color red #40, red #3, or an equivalent is likely used in the colored collagen casing to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added, as sodium nitrite is used outright, along with sodium erythorbate and potassium sorbate as preservatives to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because monosodium glutamate is used outright to lose another rating.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
GOLDRUSH – SPICY BEEF STICKS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell light vinegar and nothing else. The meat sticks look exactly like most other beef sticks (pepperettes).
When I bite into the beef stick, I immediately taste salt at a high, but manageable level. There is next to no sweetness. The pepper is prominent but not too intense, and the garlic is also at a decent level. I detect very mild spice (heat), certainly not enough to call it a “spicy” meat stick though. I do detect a bit of smokiness, but, again, not really enough to warrant a “smokie” in the title. There was also no “snap” to the collagen casing.
Overall, a decent tasting meat stick, but nothing really jumps out at me. It reads like a 7/10, which is what I will rate it. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Goldrush – Spicy Smokie Beef Sticks Review
The meat stick is tasty, the smokiness and saltiness are adequate, and the flavor profile is rich and nice. I appreciate the spiciness. It is on the milder side at first, then increases with each bite. I get the flavor of the hot peppers without the burn. I’d say this is likely a 1 or 2/5 for someone used to Spicy food and approximately 3/5 for someone who isn’t.
The aroma is unremarkable, and the texture is not mushy but on the softer side, more than what I would have liked. I tasted a bit of acidity, and perhaps with a more generous splash, the flavor would have popped more for a cleaner, crisper bite.
I enjoyed the Goldrush – Spicy Smokie Beef Sticks, and I wouldn’t mind having it again in the future.
I’d rate this meat stick a 7/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Spicy beef stick flavor from Goldrush: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. I mostly agree with everything stated. As Paul stated, the saltiness is high, but I suppose within reason. Neither Paul nor I detected much spiciness. I would put it at a one out of 4, or possibly a 2 out of 5 on a heat scale. Paul and I may vehemently disagree with Stéphane that the heat level reaches a 3 out of 5 on the heat scale.”
“The overall taste profile is fairly simple. As Paul noted, there is not much ‘snap’ to the texture. While these beef sticks are enjoyable, there is little ‘wow’ factor present. I agree with Stéphane in that adding more acidity would have spruced up the flavor. We all agree that there is no ‘wow’ factor. A unanimous Decent (7/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 7 ounce/196 gram bag of meat stick sold for $5.49. That equates to 85 cents per ounce, which rates as a dirt cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear non-resealable bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The Goldrush logo depicts a vagabond.
A slogan printed on this bag might be “Beef Smokies”. The only facts printed are “Smoke Flavor Added” and “Dipped in a solution of potassium sorbate to retard mold growth”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about Goldrush or this flavor. To Goldrush’s credit, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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