International Jerky Awards and TasteTV Announce Best Jerky of the 2026
If you love jerky, the annual Jerky Awards have picked some of the best. This year some of the top jerky brands were not only made of the traditional beef, but also from plants, poultry, and more.
San Francisco, CA, August 31, 2026 --(PR.com)-- The International Jerky Awards and TasteTV are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 International Jerky Awards, recognizing outstanding artisan jerky from producers around the world.
Taking the competition’s highest Gold Awards for 2026 are:
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
Both products rose to the top of a diverse field spanning traditional beef jerky, Wagyu, Lao-style fried beef, inventive flavored jerkies and plant-based alternatives. The annual competition evaluates entries through a select jury of food and wine media, industry judges and members of the Academy of Media Tastemakers.
Receiving Silver Awards are:
Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC — Bella’s Lao Fried Beef Jerky Original
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
VUEtastic Jerky LLC — Lemongrass Hot
Wagyu Boyz — Wagyu Boyz OG
Receiving Bronze Awards are:
Gilbert’s Premium Jerky — Ginger Lime Whiskey
Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. — Guinness Steak Cuts Original
VUEtastic Jerky LLC — Smoke BBQ
“Today’s artisan jerky makers are taking a familiar food and doing remarkable things with flavor, texture, ingredients and technique,” said a judge from the International Jerky Awards. “The 2026 results range from crisp brisket and Wagyu to lemongrass, whiskey-inspired flavors and inventive plant-based creations. It’s exactly the kind of creativity these awards were created to discover and recognize.”
Judges evaluated entries for overall excellence as well as distinctions including Flavor, Texture, Packaging, Uniqueness, Quality, Ingredient Combinations, Best Beef Jerky, and Best Poultry/Fish/Non-Beef Meat Jerky.
Among the judges’ comments, Brisket Chips were described as particularly difficult to stop eating, with praise for their crisp texture and balanced flavors. Wagyu Boyz drew attention for its savory, buttery meat and texture; Gilbert’s Ginger Lime Whiskey was praised for its unusual flavor combination; and judges also singled out the quality and creativity of several plant-based entries.
See the complete 2026 results, category honors and judges’ comments:
www.JerkyAwards.com
Taking the competition’s highest Gold Awards for 2026 are:
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
Both products rose to the top of a diverse field spanning traditional beef jerky, Wagyu, Lao-style fried beef, inventive flavored jerkies and plant-based alternatives. The annual competition evaluates entries through a select jury of food and wine media, industry judges and members of the Academy of Media Tastemakers.
Receiving Silver Awards are:
Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC — Bella’s Lao Fried Beef Jerky Original
Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
VUEtastic Jerky LLC — Lemongrass Hot
Wagyu Boyz — Wagyu Boyz OG
Receiving Bronze Awards are:
Gilbert’s Premium Jerky — Ginger Lime Whiskey
Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. — Guinness Steak Cuts Original
VUEtastic Jerky LLC — Smoke BBQ
“Today’s artisan jerky makers are taking a familiar food and doing remarkable things with flavor, texture, ingredients and technique,” said a judge from the International Jerky Awards. “The 2026 results range from crisp brisket and Wagyu to lemongrass, whiskey-inspired flavors and inventive plant-based creations. It’s exactly the kind of creativity these awards were created to discover and recognize.”
Judges evaluated entries for overall excellence as well as distinctions including Flavor, Texture, Packaging, Uniqueness, Quality, Ingredient Combinations, Best Beef Jerky, and Best Poultry/Fish/Non-Beef Meat Jerky.
Among the judges’ comments, Brisket Chips were described as particularly difficult to stop eating, with praise for their crisp texture and balanced flavors. Wagyu Boyz drew attention for its savory, buttery meat and texture; Gilbert’s Ginger Lime Whiskey was praised for its unusual flavor combination; and judges also singled out the quality and creativity of several plant-based entries.
See the complete 2026 results, category honors and judges’ comments:
www.JerkyAwards.com
Contact
TasteTV
Kevin Reed
415-263-6800
www.TasteTV.com
Kevin Reed
415-263-6800
www.TasteTV.com
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