Anyone tried Brant Lake Wagyu?

[JDMMAN]

I recently came across them and dropped by their retail butcher shop. The owner seems to be a nice guy but the pricing seemed to be a touch high compared to genuine wagyu from Japan.

I was thinking of getting a piece (~7-8kg) of bone-in ribeye graded A4 Wagyu, but before I do, would love to see if anyone has had their "Gold" grade before and their thoughts.

I've had A5 Wagyu in several regions of Japan before, so hopefully, this will be pretty close in taste and texture.

[killramos]

Brant lake is good shit. Real top quality product.

If you are expecting A5, that’s not really what it is. But I think I almost prefer their (lesser) level of marbelling.

I’ve mostly had their products at restaurants, only had it at home a couple times.

[ercchry]

Best brisket I’ve ever made

For sure not A5 the few other cuts I’ve had, Costco has some Japanese A5 though if that’s what you’re after

Online is stepping it up all around actually...

https://www.costco.ca/beef.html

[JDMMAN]

@killramos - thanks for the feedback. Did you have their "black" or "gold" grade of wagyu?

[HiSpec]

It’ll do for non-Japan Wagyu. I am willing to experiment with their Wagyu since their price point is acceptable compare to Mizayaki.

[killramos]

I don’t remember a particular distinction.

[tirebob]

What is the pricing like? Always wanted to try a wagyu brisket...

[killramos]

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What is the pricing like? Always wanted to try a wagyu brisket...

I paid a little under $200 last time I bought one (while ago) but it was very large.

I’d say a little over 2x AAA prices

[tirebob]

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I paid a little under $200 last time I bought one (while ago) but it was very large.

I’d say a little over 2x AAA prices

Nice! I am going to have to look for some.

[ExtraSlow]

Bob, buy two briskets, one Brant Lake, one Costco, we can do a taste-test for the beyond meet at your house. I'll bring the $1 beers and a tent. Eric can bring the meat popsicles and Killy and bring the class.

[RX_EVOLV]

BLW is so good, and much more satisfying and enjoyable than A5 IMO since you can actually eat a whole steak as it's not as crazy fatty as the A5. Only tried the "regular" ones though, haven't tried the Gold.

Going to try a BLW brisket this summer. I haven't been to their retail butcher shop so I'm not sure what their pricing there is like, but Great Meats carries it for ~$150 https://www.greatmeats.ca/product-pa...risket-1-piece . I've never ordered one from them before so I'm not sure if you get the whole piece. I have ordered a regular Augus brisket from them for $80 and they only gave me half of it (the Point half, so no complaints) but it was big. Around 15lb.

[ercchry]

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Bob, buy two briskets, one Brant Lake, one Costco, we can do a taste-test for the beyond meet at your house. I'll bring the $1 beers and a tent. Eric can bring the meat popsicles and Killy and bring the class.

No need, Wagyu brisket is well above. Tricky to get right though if you’re use to regular AB triple A, you want to under cook it some

[tirebob]

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No need, Wagyu brisket is well above. Tricky to get right though if you’re use to regular AB triple A, you want to under cook it some

I would bet with all the fine marbling it can render out pretty fast...

[JDMMAN]

@HiSpec - yup I definitely agree the pricing isn't too bad and I wouldn't want to waste Mizayaki A5.

@killramos - When I spoke with the owner @ BLW he said his hand-picked higher quality "black" will be like lower-end "gold". I believe it mainly comes down to fat marbling.

@tirebob - BLW's butcher shop's pricing isn't really advertised, but you can find their products here -> https://www.brantlakewagyu.ca/where-to-find-us/

@RX_EVOLV - It's too bad that Great Meats does not go into too much detail on their grade of BLW being offered, at those prices, I'm not sure it's the "Gold", at least for the Ribeyes. The average 16oz "gold" rated BLM bone-out Ribeye @ their Butchershop was between $65-75.

Sounds like those who've tried their product have been happy with it. So I think I'll take the plunge and get some bone-in "gold" BLW Ribeye.

[killramos]

My take is that the top top top halo level of anything is rarely worth getting.

A tier or 2 down is usually the better product.

[RX_EVOLV]

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@HiSpec - yup I definitely agree the pricing isn't too bad and I wouldn't want to waste Mizayaki A5.

@killramos - When I spoke with the owner @ BLW he said his hand-picked higher quality "black" will be like lower-end "gold". I believe it mainly comes down to fat marbling.

@tirebob - BLW's butcher shop's pricing isn't really advertised, but you can find their products here -> https://www.brantlakewagyu.ca/where-to-find-us/

@RX_EVOLV - It's too bad that Great Meats does not go into too much detail on their grade of BLW being offered, at those prices, I'm not sure it's the "Gold", at least for the Ribeyes. The average 16oz "gold" rated BLM bone-out Ribeye @ their Butchershop was between $65-75.

Sounds like those who've tried their product have been happy with it. So I think I'll take the plunge and get some bone-in "gold" BLW Ribeye.

Keep us posted in the BBQ thread. Love to see and hear how the Gold BLW cooks.

[ercchry]

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I would bet with all the fine marbling it can render out pretty fast...

Yup, can turn into a hockey puck for sure. I believe last time I pulled it around 190F? Was amazing.

[SKR]

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My take is that the top top top halo level of anything is rarely worth getting.

A tier or 2 down is usually the better product.

That's why I never try my best.

[ThePenIsMightier]

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That's why I never try my best.

Practice makes perfect.
But nobody's perfect, so why practice!

[killramos]

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That's why I never try my best.

The law of diminishing returns applies to most things