Published at The Green Man Review. Read the original piece here!

Westchester PA based company, Righteous Felon crafts a whole lot of jerky.  But I sunk my teeth into their Victorious B.I.G. because I needed to know what beer infused jerky tasted like. This one’s a collaboration with PA’s Victory Brewing Company, using their Storm King Imperial Stout to infuse this jerky. So this collaboration is all PA, and it feels like a match made in beer and beef heaven.

That taste you get when you use a good dark beer in a marinade or stew? Right here.  That lovely smooth umami filled my mouth the moment I bit into a piece. Hell, as soon as I opened the bag that deep delicious smell hit me. And I loved it.

As for the spices and such? B.I.G. isn’t overly salty, as so many jerky products can be. Instead, the flavor here hits you when the chewing starts.  A smokey, hickory, beefy hit. Black pepper is here too, but first and foremost? BEEF. Delicious, delicious beef. Satisfying, and dare I say comforting? I dare, I dare.  This jerky is robust, yet easy to chew. Soft but substantive. It’s set the bar for what I expect jerky to be from now on.

B.I.G. is perfect for noshing right out of the bag, but with the mellow flavor profile of this jerky it blends well with cheese, fruit, and all the usual appetizer nosh.  While I’d recommend a stout with this jerky – keeping the flavors in the family – a red wine wouldn’t be a bad pairing either. Or pack it for your next day hike; the packet is nice and solid, so it won’t rip amongst the rest of your gear.

Just find yourself some.  It’s good.