Jerky Dynasty Blog
Avoid another Father's Day Fiasco - get personal this year!
Was last year's Father's Day a bust? Whether you just waited too late, got dad another dreaded necktie - or worse yet - NOTHING, you should definitely make it up to him this time around. Forget the socks and cufflinks and find something befitting dad's uniqueness - just peruse our handy dandy Father's Day gift guide!
Does dad love the outdoors? Grandpa loves to golf? Husband loves to hunt? We've got you covered.
For the Golfer:
He's looked forward to retirement for 18 reasons. When gramps hits the green, he shouldn't have to go empty handed. We've heard a little protein between holes can take that bogey to a birdie - so help the old man out. Our Pacific Mountain Farms jerky sticks will fit perfectly in his golf bag.
For the Cyclist:
Does your husband do double time on his bike - riding to work daily to save money & the environment? Has he been spending his evenings teaching junior how to ride without training wheels? Sounds like he deserves the reward for cyclist - and maybe even dad of the year. Fuel his ride this Father's Day with some Buffalo Bob's exotic jerky to keep him pedaling.
For the Hunter:
This one's pretty self explanatory. We've got two words for you: Ammo Cans. You can thank us later.
For the Grillmaster:
Is there no where else your pops would rather be than stoking the coals or the propane on a summer weekend? By all means, this Father's Day, give the man something worth grilling! We've got Reindeer, Caribou, Boar, Elk & Venison sausages to tantalize his tastebuds and win him over.
For the Adventurer:
Maybe the special man in your life doesn't want to be beholden to hobbies. Or perhaps he has too many to count. Aren't all men a little wild at heart? The adventurous guy who loves to try new things absolutely NEEDS to be a part of our Dynasty Club. For a truly special Father's Day, nothing else will do for the dad who has it all and does it all. Whether you Join the Dynasty for him for a month, 3 months, or a year, he'll remember this Father's Day forever.
We've got high hopes that this year will be the best Father's Day across the board...and we think our jerky's a good way to make that happen!
Beer & Jerky pairings for National Beer Day!
National Beer Day may have only been celebrated since April 7, 2009, but folks were celebrating beer long before that! Wondering why April 7th? In March of 1933, Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act (which said beer could contain up to 3.2% alcohol by weight) into law, and it was enacted on April 7, 1933! Previous laws had required alcohol to be below 0.5% (thanks, prohibition!) and this was a game changer, which eventually led to the 21st Amendment! Whether you're celebrating New Beer's Eve tonight, or National Beer Day tomorrow (or let's face it....both), we wouldn't be us if we didn't give you some suggestions for pairing your favorite beers with our meaty goods.
Now that the history lesson is over, let the pairings begin!
Teriyaki jerky + Blonde Ale:
When preparing a pairing session, we like to start mild and light with both jerky and beer and work our way up in intensity and boldness. So we're starting off with an easy drinking blonde and some of the sweeter side of jerky. If you've never tasted Caribou, our Teriyaki stick from Indian Valley Alaska is a great option. And its sweetness pairs great with the caramel & apricot notes in the crisp Deschutes River Ale, or probably just about any other excellent Blonde for that matter!
BBQ Jerky + Pale Ale:
If you live in the south, you already know that you can't go wrong pairing BBQ with your favorite Pale Ale. But for those of you who don't, you may have never had the pleasure of tasting this sweet and citrusy combo. Try our Buffalo Bob's BBQ Alligator snack pack paired with the grapefruity goodness that is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for a little taste of the south in the summertime.
Fish Jerky + Pilsner:
For our last combo on the lighter side, we've paired some wild caught Ahi Tuna Jerky from Kaimana with Hans' Pils from Real Ale. The bright hoppiness combined with German malts in the pilsner provide a great balance to the smokiness of the Hawaiian tuna for a winning combination. This specific pilsner is a bit more heavily hopped than most, so it'd go great with our Peppered Ahi Tuna as well if you want to spice things up a bit.
Venison Pepper Jerky + IPA:
Now for something a little more bold. Deer season may be over, but we've always got Venison stocked. And the richness our Venison and Beef Peppered Jerky supplies is a great counterbalance to the citrus & pine notes of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA. The cracked pepper flavor of the jerky mixing with the hoppy aroma of this beer is absolutely mouth watering. You've just gotta try it.
Scorpion Pepper + Stout:
Love playing with fire? This last pairing is for you! Our Smoky Mountain Scorpion Pepper Brisket Jerky is a little sweet with a LOT of hot. Made with one of the hottest peppers on the planet, we're pretty sure it'll make you sweat. But a pint of Lakewood Temptress Imperial Milk Stout might just be the perfect thing to cool things off. With it's thick chocolate head, and notes of caramel and vanilla, the silky mouthfeel of this lower carbonation beer will calm the flames. Between the jerky and the beer - this pairing is both intense and complex - go big or go home, right?
Jerky + Beer = Beer jerky!
Perhaps you've decided that April happened to be a good month to get on the wagon and stop drinking. Bad timing, huh? But wait - you can still celebrate National Beer Day with our beer jerky (it's not technically drinking, right?)! Normally a pale ale drinker? Try our Black Label Draft Ale Beef Jerky that's marinated in its goodness. Love something a bit darker? Our Dark Ale Beer Jerky from Northwest Bierhaus in Oregon should do the trick!
We hope these pairings make this year's celebration of National Beer Day one to remember! Please drink (and eat) responsibly. Oh wait. One can never have too much jerky!
Fill those Easter Baskets with Bunny-approved Jerky!
Here comes Peter Cottontail! With Easter just around the corner (April 1st this year!) it's not too soon to start preparing for the big egg hunt. We certainly wouldn't want to see anyone with an empty Easter basket - not even the 'bunny' himself.
So whether you're thinking about the kiddos or just spoiling your significant other this Easter - we've got suggestions for you!
Skip the sugary sweets:
If you're a parent, you're probably still recovering from the onslaught of candy from Valentine's Day, followed by those chocolate gold coins at St. Patty's Day, and dreading the sugar high that chocolate bunnies will bring come Easter. Instead of adding to the candy stash this year, try something new. We know kids love sweets - but they love jerky too! Especially flavors like our Honey Ham and Pork Hawaiian Teriyaki with just a hint of sweetness.
Find clever hiding spots:
Whether you (or the 'Easter bunny') is hiding a stick or a whole bag of jerky - you can get really clever with your hiding spots. Unlike those rolly hard boiled eggs - you can hide Jerky up high without fear of it falling, or down low on the ground without fear of being crushed. Plus - our jerky variety packs come in a slew of label colors - great for camouflaging to make the hunt more challenging for the older kids.
Speaking of hard boiled eggs...
While dying dozens of eggs is sure to be a fun time with the entire family, post-hunt you'll end up with those very same eggs that need to be eaten or disposed of. But this year, instead of tossing those eggs, how about making your post-Easter egg feast more palatable? Enter J&D's Bacon Salt (in original or jalapeno). It'll give those eggs a new lease on life! Or turn those pretty eggs into a full breakfast served with your favorite sausage.
It never hurts to make a holiday more memorable for everyone involved, and we're pretty sure with our tips this is poised to be the best Easter yet! Or maybe Easter just isn't your thing at all. You can always be ironic and order some Whisky rabbit jerky to show that bunny who's boss!
Make this Valentine's Day unforgettable with Jerky!
Ah Valentine's Day - February 14th - a worldwide celebration of love. It's 2018 people. We've been giving our loved ones the same old gifts for far too long, and it's time to shake it up! The team here at Jerky Dynasty has your back with unique gifts to help make this the best Valentine's day yet!
We've rounded up some of the best options for your boo depending on your traditional gift-giving style. We're pretty sure our gifts will give your love ALL the heart eyes in the world for you! So without further adieu...
Roses are red...but jerky is better!
Flowers may be beautiful - but they're so short-lived. And according to this survey, 46% of women would be disappointed to recieve flowers this Valentine's Day. We'd guess even fewer men care for bouquets. Unless, however, it's a longer-lasting bouquet of a different kind. Nothing says true love like our Exotic Meat Bouquet from Carnivore Club. It's twenty long-stemmed jerky sticks will have your bae swooning, and it *might* even outlast those already-dying blooms. Plus - no pesky thorns.
Mix things up!
Fan of ye olde mix CD? Let's be honest - your significant other is only using Spotify these days and hasn't touched an actual disc in years. Plus- it's always so hard to pick your favorite songs that send just the right message. But since variety IS still the spice of life, why not get them a mix pack of our Staff Favorites - our 20 favorite jerky flavors - hand picked for them! Just leave the selection in our hands. Less pressure for you, and more enjoyment for them. A win-win!
For those who love a keepsake:
Everybody appreciates a personal gift - something they can hang on to forever. But the old personalized picture frame/money clip/you-name-it has got to be the cheesiest Valentine's gift option out there. Does your special someone really need another mug with their name on it? This year - get them a different kind of keepsake - something they'll want to display year after year - but only after enjoying its contents. Enter our 16-pack exotic jerky ammo can gift set. Not only is it full of tasty morsels, when your love has consumed all the jerky they can display it proudly on a shelf or use it to hold their most treasured possessions. Or - maybe just use it as a spot to stash all those personalized gifts they're embarrassed by *wink wink*.
It's getting hot in here!
Some folks use Valentine's Day as a way to spice things up. This year's your chance to take that literally. Want to raise his temperature and make him sweat? Our Valentine's hot and spicy gift bundle will do just that! His pulse will be racing when he tries our Sriracha, Habanero, and Cajun spiced jerky. And we know spicy foods release endorphins - so this might just be your hottest Valentine's date night yet!
No matter what your gift-giving style, Jerky Dynasty's here to help you make Valentine's Day 2018 the most memorable one yet. We've said it before and we'll say it again - nothing says "I love you" quite like jerky.
New Year's Resolutions made easier with Jerky!
It's that time of year again...when we make a list of goals we're beholden to for the next 365 days. Some years we go easy on ourselves, and sometimes it's a real challenge. This year, our resolution is to make YOUR goals easier to meet - with - you guessed it - JERKY. You may be wondering how jerky can possibly relate to your 2018 resolutions. We think you'l be pleasantly surprised.
Resolution #1: Take your vitamins.
Resolution #2: Hit the gym.
If you're gonna' work out - you're gonna' need protein. Whether you've jumped on the Crossfit bandwagon and want to go Paleo, or just want to make sure your muscles are getting the stuff they need to repair, Jerky's got your back. Your average post-workout snack should have anywhere from 10-20 grams of protein - which means you just need to eat 2-3 pieces of our very own old fashioned jerky to do the trick. Filling your gym bag with our gourmet jerky is a great way to stay motivated - what better reward for a workout?
Resolution #4: Try something new.
There you have it. You've got no excuses. This year's gonna' be the year you tackle all your resolutions - cross them off your list. We've got your back. Here's to 2018!
The official Jerky Dynasty Holiday Gift Guide!
There's just 11 days left 'til Christmas. We know some of you have your trees trimmed and gifts wrapped - but then there's always the others - the procrastinators, the too-busy-with-work, the perfectionists who want to give NOTHING but the best. So we thought we'd write up a little Christmas gift guide for those of you who need a little push in the right direction.
For the Culinary Mastermind:
For those in your life who love spending time in the kitchen, or who know how to rock a charcuterie board, they'd be stoked to get some of our perfectly themed Spicy Reindeer Sausage in their stocking. Want to go a bit bigger? Our Summer Sausage gift pack will come in handy when they're hosting this year's New Year's Eve party - or they can keep it all for themselves! We've got a great collection of spices & rubs to choose from too!
For the Outdoorsman:
Does your gift recipient love nothing more than being out in nature? This Christmas, stock them with plenty of snacks for their upcoming adventures. Does your loved one love to fish? We've got a variety of Fish Jerky - perfect for the avid angler. More of the hiking/trekking type? We've got plenty of snack packs of all the essentials for that next backpacking trip!
For the Alcohol Aficionado:
Know someone who's a connoisseur of cocktails, wine, and beer? We've got the perfect gift for them! Our Alcohol Jerky is the way to go! You can buy it in a delicious Six Pack, or pick your poison - be it Tequila, Pinot Noir or a nice Dark Ale.
Hope our little roundup sends you in the right direction. We're pretty sure it will. And, at any rate, we're pretty sure Santa would appreciate some jerky on his plate - skip the cookies - this year. And honestly, when it comes to giving the gift of Jerky, you can't really go wrong.
Can't quite decide what to get? Or shopping REALLY last minute? There's always Gift Cards!
Supporting our troops with Jerky!
When Veteran's Day rolls around every year, we find ourselves filled with gratitude toward all those who have honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time. But we're not just thankful on November 11th - we take pleasure in shipping out military donations year round from our generous customers.
We're not surprised that jerky is something the guys and gals serving our country really want in their care packages. And we absolutely love putting extra sticks of jerky in those Ultimate Packs going overseas. It's the least we can do to say thanks for fighting for our freedom. And we love working with Any Soldier to get goodies into the hands of those who don't typically recieve much mail from home.
We've been mulling over what more we could do to show our gratitude and we decided to launch a JERKY GIVEAWAY! Beginning today - through the end of the year (December 31st)- we're taking entries from Active Duty Military personnel to have the chance to win a year's supply of jerky! You'll be subscribed to our Jerky of the month club for all of 2018! That's a $360 value!
There are lots of ways to enter - what we really want to know is: what America/serving our country means to you. You can tag us in a brief tweet about your love for our country with the hashtag #JerkyDynastyUSA. Or post a photo of your squad on our facebook page. Or write your heart out and email us your thoughts at jerkydynasty@gmail.com. We all know our country is in need of a little love - what a great way to spread it!
Be sure and share the giveaway opportunity with others in your unit - you're family after all. And we'd bet if they happen to win the year's supply they'd thank you by sharing their Jerky stash! Win win, right?!? We're looking forward to reading your entries and seeing your photos. Good luck and godspeed!
Jerky and Collegiate Football make an excellent pairing
Raise your hand if you've ever watched a college football matchup without snacks. That's what we thought. Jerky is a game day staple - but have you considered WHAT jerky you'll be eating when your team is playing their rivals?
We've matched up some of our favorite jerky snacks with college mascots. Perhaps you'll want to chow down on the opposing team's mascot - or maybe your good luck charm is sticking with meat from your own team. Whatever your style - we've got 6 pairings to get you through your next game day house party!
Colorado Buffaloes
The CU Buffaloes came from behind and squeaked past the Oregon State Beavers last week, and they're up against Washington State this Saturday in what could be a nail-biter after they finally broke their losing streak. Instead of munching those fingernails, CU fans should pick up some of the best Buffalo Jerky out there. Our Jackson Hole Buffalo Jerky is 100% buffalo - no fillers. Which is exactly what you want from your team.
Florida Gators
With a 3-3 record following their loss to the Aggies, and fans blaming offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, a bye week might be just what this team needs. And it gives Coach McElwain some time to hit the recruiting trail. Perhaps he should stock up on Alligator jerky to pass out to potential recruits!
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks were going strong this year until QB Justin Herbert broke his collarbone in their win over Cal. With a true freshman, Braxton Burmeister as their only hope for redemption and a shot at being bowl elligible, the Oregon staff is doing everything in it's power to get the replacement QB up to speed. Maybe they should try feeding him Duck jerky. If it quacks like a duck....
Arkansas Razorbacks
More QB struggles abound in Arkansas, where Austin Allen's shoulder injury seems to be keeping him down. The team is placing their hopes in Cole Kelly, and crossing their fingers Allen will be back to go whole hog in their 64th matchup against Ole Miss on October 28th. And we're pretty sure our Wild Boar sausage could bring anyone back to health. Or at least feed the guests watching the game at your place - and keep 'em from yelling (too much) at the screen.
Texas Longhorns
After a devestatingly close game (and ultimately loss) against OU, the Longhorns needed something to spice things up a bit. And wouldn't you know - that's when DeShon Elliott was named Sporting News' Midseason All-American. Still holding on to their #2 ranking in the Big 12, they just need keep bringing the heat - kinda' like our Hot & Spicy Beef Jerky. Bevo would approve.
Akron Zips
Maybe the Mid American Conference isn't on your radar, but if the University of Akron is bold enough to make their mascot a Kangaroo, perhaps it should be. They're ranked #1 in MAC East and fresh off a post-flooding rainy day win vs Western Michigan. And did we say their mascot is a KANGAROO? That's #winning in our book. Fans should go bonkers over our exotic Kangaroo jerky!
Regardless of which team you root for (or against) - we can all agree on one thing. Jerky and football are a winning combination.
Celebrate Oktoberfest Jerky Dynasty Style!
Whichever beer and jerky pairings you choose, don't forget the pretzels!