Move over wine and cheese, now there’s beer and jerky. A fun feast can be on the table in just five minutes using delicious, high-protein snacks from Jack Link’s® Beef Jerky. Made from the finest cuts of meat, in a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy even the most discerning palate, today’s jerky is packaged in shelf-stable, stay-fresh, re-sealable packages so they are always at the ready should unexpected guests arrive. Keep several types of chilled beers, lagers, micro-brews and ales on hand and you’re prepared for any spur-of-the-moment party.

Along with America’s growing appreciation for the flavor and body of today’s micro-brews, ales and lagers, is the quest for the best foods to go with them.  Working with a certified master brewer, we’ve paired varieties of beer with the savory flavors of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky. The orchestration of balance between the hop bitterness and malt sweetness is carefully matched with the unique flavor profiles of jerky for the perfect party taste combinations.

Beer and Jack Link’s Jerky: Six Quick Party Pairings

Barbecue Bliss: Barbeque Beef Jerky and Full-Flavored, Dry Stout.  For a big, full-bodied blast of flavor, nothing beats the combination of beer n’ barbecue – forget the grill – just tear open a few bags of ready-to-eat, authentic jerky.  Whether it’s the naturally smoked, slow-cooked goodness of Jack Link’s KC Masterpiece® or Original Hickory Smokehouse Beef Jerky, the grill has met its match. This is a strongly flavored jerky with multiple dimensions, recommended to be paired with a fairly complex, rich beer with some of the characteristics of the barbecue or smoke flavors.  A full-flavored dry stout with a good body works best. The burnt, roasted notes of the stout provide the flavor to accompany the barbecue taste.
 
Taste of the South: Spicy Beef Jerky, Nuggets and U.S. India Pale Ale.  When you’ve got a hankerin’ for hot, sultry flavors, bring out the taste of the South with spicy meat snacks and thirst-quenching lagers and ales. Set your friends’ taste buds aflame with bowls of Jack Link’s Jalapeño Carne Seca Beef Jerky, Sweet & Hot Beef Jerky, or Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets, all seasoned with zesty spices and loaded with a hot flavor kick. Spicy jerky or nuggets pair well with a very hoppy U.S. India Pale Ale. The hops, along with the higher alcohol, tame the heat, while the big malt profile of the beer matches the flavor of the beef. Hot, spicy flavors require big, hoppy beers.

Taste of the Orient: Teriyaki Jerky or Nuggets and German Kolsch or U.S. Golden Ale.  
If the tempting taste of teriyaki beckons you to the table, enhance the experience with a traditional German Kolsch-style beer or American Golden Ale. The low hopping of these style beers allows the aroma of the teriyaki to remain present, while the fuller body complements the flavor of the beer. Avoid overly hoppy or malty beers with this flavor of jerky. Pair these beers with Jack Link’s Teriyaki Beef Jerky or Teriyaki Nuggets.

Original Steakhouse Beef Jerky: Original Beef Jerky and ESB (Extra Special Bitter) beer. Steak and beer: it’s the supreme combination. Now, you can create an authentic steakhouse experience on a moment’s notice with Jack Link’s Original Steakhouse or Original Beef Jerky, or Jack Link’s Original Nuggets paired with bold-flavored beers and ales. An ESB style of beer is recommended. With the bitterness of the beer, you will encounter fruity, hoppy notes that complement the savory beefy nature of the jerky. A German-style ale works well with this flavor pairing also.

Taste of Home: Ham or Turkey Jerky, Nuggets & Doppel Bock or Medium-Bodied Lager. Who can resist the down-home flavor of tender roasted turkey or perhaps baked ham glazed with maple and brown sugar? You can evoke memories of these popular home-cooked meals every time you tear open a bag of Jack Link’s Turkey Jerky, Jack Link’s Maple & Brown Sugar Ham Jerky or Maple Glazed Ham Nuggets. These flavors pair wonderfully with the rich, full-bodied traits of a doppel bock. The slight caramel notes of the bock pair well with the sweetness of the jerky and nuggets, while the maltier, sweeter notes of the beer contrast the savory nature of the ham and turkey. A medium-bodied lager such as an Oktoberfest or maerzen-style beer; is recommended. These beers are brewed with spicier German hops that work well with pork and ham dishes.”

Pick a Pepper Party: Peppered Jerky or Nuggets & English Ale or English India Pale Ale. Pick a package of peppered jerky to perk up your next party.  Let your guests pick their favorite from meat snack varieties such as Jack Link’s Peppered Beef Jerky or Peppered Nuggets, both naturally smoked with mesquite and seasoned with a unique blend of peppercorns and robust spices.  This style of jerky pairs well with English-style ale or English India pale ale. The assertive presence of the hops helps balance the spiciness of the pepper, especially at the finish. These are both full-bodied beers that hold up well to the flavor of the beef while the fruity, spicy hops complement the peppery overtones.

Jack Link’s is no ordinary snack, and a “beer and jerky tasting” is certainly a twist on the ordinary entertaining fare. Anytime you need a quick and easy snack for a gathering of friends or family, remember to pair the irresistible taste of Jack Link’s Jerky with a glass of your favorite beer, lager or ale. We encourage party goers to sample beers in moderation and to drink responsibly.

JACK LINK’S BEEF JERKY – Feed Your Wild Side.
Headquartered in Minong, Wis., Jack Link’s is the No. 1 U.S. meat snack brand and fastest-growing meat snack manufacturer worldwide. The Jack Link’s brand represents a heritage of quality and consumer trust. Jack Link’s products are available online and in retail outlets worldwide.

How Do I Select the Jerky Flavors?

From the tangy taste of barbecue to the zesty taste of pepper – there is a jerky for everyone. Jack Link’s® Beef Jerky has a flavor to satisfy even the most discerning palate. When you pair the flavors below with any one of your favorite ales, porters or lagers, you’ll have a gathering with a unique twist on the ordinary.

Jerky

Original - The classic
Teriyaki - Delicate blend of Asian spices
Peppered - Robust fresh pepper flavor
Sweet & Hot - Sweet seasonings and zesty spices
Hickory Smoked - Mellow, smoky flavor
Original Hickory Smokehouse – Classic smoked flavor
Jalapeño Carne Seca - Fiery jalapeño flavor
K.C. Masterpiece® BBQ - Tangy BBQ Flavor
Sweet & Spicy Thai – Zesty blend of Asian Spices
Original Steakhouse – Like steak right off of the grill
A.1.® Steak Sauce - Savory steak house flavor
Maple and Brown Sugar - Just-like-home glazed ham flavor
Oven Roasted Turkey – Rich, oven-roasted turkey Flavor
Buffalo – mellow flavor of roasted Bison

Nuggets

Original – Classic, steak house inspired flavor
Teriyaki – Umami in every bite
Peppered – Tasty notes of freshly cracked pepper-corn
Sweet & Hot - Sweet seasonings and zesty spices
A.1.® Steak Sauce - Savory steak house flavor
Flamin'; Buffalo Chicken – Just like Buffalo Wings from your favorite pub.
Sesame Teriyaki Chicken – Delicate blend of sesame and Asian spices
Oven Roasted Turkey – Rich, oven-roasted turkey Flavor
Maple Glazed Ham –  Just-like-Mom’s, homemade, maple glazed ham flavor

What Type Of Glasses Should I Use?

Like wine, there are unique glasses for specific types of beer. However, any type of glass will do. Chilled beers should be poured into straight-sided clear glasses (such as a wine glass, pilsner glass or any clear glass). A straight-sided glass allows the natural head of authentic beers to perform, while the clear glass allows you to appreciate the refreshing, frothy foam of the beer. Remember, this is merely a beer tasting – glasses needn’t be large.

What Serving Dishes Should I Use?

Jerky is as unpretentious a snack as you’ll ever have the pleasure of eating. Any simple serving dish is appropriate. We recommend serving each flavor of jerky in its own unique dish, so as to keep the flavors distinct. 

If presentation is your thing, why not match each jerky flavor with a unique serving dish – a delicate Asian-style china plate for Teriyaki Jerky or Nuggets; a spicy jalapeño adorned dish for the Jalapeño Jerky or Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets; or a steak platter for K.C. Masterpiece Jerky or Original Nuggets. 

Don’t forget to identify each flavor of jerky and beer with a small note card, sign or table-tent. 

How Much Beer Do I Need?

You’ll need about 4-ounces of each type of beer for each participant. This allows the taster to examine the color and clarity and expose enough of the beer to their taste buds, yet still leave some beer in the glass for them to form an overall impression based on a second swallow. Since most beers are available in 11.2 or 12 ounce bottles, you will need one bottle of each style of beer for every three people at your gathering. You’ll soon discover that beer and jerky tasting offers great fun at a reasonable price.

How Much Jerky Will I Need?

Although the standard serving size for jerky is generally one ounce, an appropriate serving size for a jerky tasting should be approximately half of an ounce. The typical jerky bag is usually between four and five ounces, which translates into one bag of each flavor jerky for every seven to eight people. However, we have found that the irresistible jerky taste often keeps guests coming back for more, so we recommend one package of each flavor jerky for every four guests. Beef jerky is low in fat, carbs and calories, and the high-protein goodness of the jerky makes for a satisfying snack that fills you up.