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 Fargo, North Dakota. The jerky is manufactured by Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California.
The next review on Boozy Jerky will focus on a 1.5 ounce/43 gram bag of their Spicy Citrus IPA flavored brisket beef jerky. This flavor is described as meat with heat and a citrus zest to make it oh-so-sweet. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by Co-Founder & Chief Boozy Officer R. Shaun Gray.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Beer, Rice Vinegar (Rice Vinegar, Invert Sugar, Salt, Diluted with Water to 4% Acidity), Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Ginger, Ground Pepper, Orange Extract (Alcohol, Water, Orange Oil), Cayenne, Allspice, Red Pepper Flakes. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
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 a decent brand of soy sauce and healthy rice vinegar.
The only healthy ingredients added are granulated garlic, granulated onion, black pepper, orange extract, and allspice. The heat is achieved through the red chili pepper flakes, which, when eaten in moderation, help flush toxins out of the body.
The sugar is a little high at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 4 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a fruity flavor. The salt level is permissible at 330mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
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 – SPICY CITRUS IPA BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell the citrus, possibly vinegar, and natural beef. The jerky is medium in size, and it is sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and a bit moist, and it leaves a noticeable oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I immediately taste the salt, which is at a decent level. The sweetness is not overpowering, it is noticeable, but not dominant. I also taste pepper, at a decent level, along with mild garlic and a decent kick. You can see copious amounts of chili flakes on the jerky. I am not necessarily picking up much on the citrus or much on the booze, even though I just opened the bag immediately before consuming, but the flavor is quite tasty.
So while I am not picking up on the booze, or the citrus, as well as the jerky is not rigid enough for me, the pros outweigh the cons, so I am comfortable awarding an 8/10, possibly as high as an 8.5/10, which would round out to a 9/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Spicy Citrus IPA brisket beef jerky flavor from Boozy Jerky “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. India Pale Ale (IPA) beer happens to be my favorite type of beer. The taste of IPA is noticeable but far from overpowering, while the soy sauce flavor is at a stronger level. As advertised, there is a spicy kick to this flavor. The level of heat would rate as a 1 or 2 out of 5 on the heat scale. As Paul mentioned, the sweetness is noticeable, which is unneeded and mutes the flavor of the beef to a certain extent.”
“The citrus flavor is at a mild level and accentuates the IPA beer, which is fruity by nature. Brisket is used as the cut of beef, renowned for its ability to absorb marinade. There is no hint of the beef tasting processed. The overall taste profile is well-balanced with no single flavor standing out. A unanimous Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 1.5 ounce/43 gram bag of jerky sells online for $7.00. That works out to $4.67 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag features everything imprinted on both the front and back. The logo of the Boozy Jerky displays what could be construed as a drunk cow’s head. The bag has an illustration of an IPA beer with wheat, orange, chili peppers, and a lemon. There is also another drunk looking cow with jerky strips in its hands, giving a thumbs up.
A slogan printed could be “The Original Booze Infused Beef Jerky”. Some facts printed are “Premium Brisket”, “Cooked Tender”, “Pairs Best IPA’s”, “Made With Real Beer”, “Independence Matters”, “Prepare to Pair”, and “Made in USA”. The perfect pairings with this stout beer jerky are listed on the back. Boozy Jerky provides their @BoozyJerky to follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A good blurb is printed on the back about this flavor. To the credit of Boozy Jerky an email address is provided for customer inquiries. A QR code is displayed on the back.
Order their jerky online: www.boozyjerky.com
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