Second Annual Jerky Contest Winner

Scott Roberts May 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm food Digg this Article

This year's Best Jerky Challenge was different than last year's in that there was one and only one category to enter in a winner-take-all bout to the finish. Most of the entries were beef jerky, with a few odd meats thrown into the competition. Overall, Doug and I (the two judges involved in evaluating the entries this time out) agreed that all the jerkies were even better this year than last year. Several of them we thought to be high quality snacks that deserved a shot at being Grand Champion.

But one jerky emerged undoubtedly as the clear-cut winner...

Sograte BBQ and Brew's Baconstein Bacon Bites Jerky!

This bacon jerky blew both Doug and I away. It received a perfect 11 out of 11 score from us. To me, this product is a revelation, and is easily a contender for my own product of the year. It's that good. Here's what Doug and I have to say about the winning entry:

Doug:

Taste - Melt in your mouth goodness. This product has that great bacon flavor that leaves your mouth wanting more. This bacon jerky is a little on the greasy side which makes me want more. Nice pepper flavor with a hint of smoke.This is a jerky that made me say wow!

Texture - Just the right bacon texture. Not too soft, but no where near to crunchy. Perfect!!

Snackability - This is a Jerky that you want to share. I carefully cut small pieces and handed them out to only close family members. I had to hide the rest of the bag. Everyone that tried this jerky was left wanting more. Scott mentions in his review that this could be product of the year and I agree. Great job!

Scott:

Texture - Bacon jerky! A totally unique product, not unlike Deano's Jalapenos. Thick cut strips of bacon meat. Maybe the only deficiency is the fact that it's a bit greasy when you bite into it, but what else would you expect from bacon? It's not like some processed jerky sticks where you bite into and feel the grease squish between your teeth. Not tough and crispy like freshly cooked bacon, but chewy with a bit of bite yet retains enough tenderness. Perfect consistency and texture of meat.

Taste - Wonderful! Delicious bacon, with a light smokiness and some black pepperiness. A superb balance of flavors.

Snackability - This is also a totally addictive product, and it's also one that you want to tell your friends and family about. I truly wanted to scarf down the bacon jerky in the entry bag, but I also wanted to save enough to let others try it for themselves. A perfect snacking product. The winner, hands-down.

Second Annual Jerky Contest Winner - Sograte BBQ and Brew's Baconstein Bacon Bites Jerky

Congratulations to Cary Franklin of Sograte BBQ and Brew! As the 2011 Jerky Champion, he wins a brand-new, top of the line Excalibur Dehydrator! If you're interested in trying his delicious bacon jerky for yourself, don't hesitate to hop over to Cary's website at http://www.sograte.com.

We would like to give a big thanks to everyone who entered this year's contest. Photos and reviews of the other entries will be posted soon, so be sure to check back on Peppers and More and Scott Roberts Web soon!

Comments

Buddah
2011-05-19 20:49:27

Scott, aren't you the one that says you do not understand why people love bacon so much? Overrated food? I think you have food that you like it more than you care to admit.
Congrats to Sograte for their Baconstein creation.

Scott Roberts
2011-05-19 21:04:44

Buddah, I like bacon but I don't dance in circles over it. If given a choice of a pork product, I'd much rather have ribs, pork shoulder or ham. That having been said, Sograte's bacon jerky is done just right and is a perfect jerky product and I think is an improvement on regular cooked bacon.

Buddah
2011-05-20 02:57:07

I think you can not get a proper cut of bacon in Missouri, hence your non-circle dance. All of a sudden some bacon comes in from parts unknown, and you do the Lindy. :D

Brian Meagher
2011-05-22 21:25:15

Those photos show quite a different product than you presented to us. As good as the samples were the we got to try, I can only imagine how really good the entries were! Love the dark, dry, jerky-like result we see here in your post. Kudos to Sograte BBQ for their awesome and unique winner!
I might have to try this at home. ~brian

Scott Roberts
2011-05-22 21:56:25

Brian, the bag of jerky shown in the photos above is the same ones I brought to Peppers. The two pieces in the second pic are simply random strips pulled out of the bag.:-)

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