Brunswick Archives

Brunswick Gourmet Brisling Sardines

Officially described as Brunswick Wild Caught Gourmet Brisling Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Not having had a non-gourmet version to compare to, these will have to be rated on their own merits. They are packed in what I like to call an "exhibition" style can, inside a printed cardboard sleeve.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.75/5.

Clean aroma. Nicely packed. There are only 4 to 5 more fish hiding under the 9 visible. Prettier than those in the stock photo of the unopened package. Marketing could probably do better.

They are notably salty, but not overly so. Described on the package as lightly smoked, but it is not readily apparent. They don't have that bronze color associated with genuine smoke. And not nearly as smoky flavored as the MW Polar tasted previously. Very tender fish with no noted bones or prickliness.

$4.00 and under on Amazon, they also come in a Mediterranean and a jalapeno style.

Brand: Bumble Bee Seafoods/Brunswick
Description: Brisling Sardines in EVOO
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $3-4

Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers

DeenLeave a comment

Picked up these Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers by mistake thinking they were the Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil (and knowing that they were actually herring). I had tried the Boneless Skinless (Pilchards) in Olive Oil with Mild Red Pepper, so it was a chance to at least try these.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The package lists serrano pepper as the heat source. Although there are only a few bits of it in the can, the heat is quite pronounced. (As opposed to the whole peppers in the Mild Red Pepper pilchards.) I'm used to spicy foods, and these had me reaching for a plain cracker to tone down the after-burn.

The other thing I noticed that I may have overlooked on the plain "in olive oil" version is that these aren't really "in" olive oil. They just have droplets of oil on the surface of whatever brine/juice these are packed in. Olive oil is the second ingredient on the package listing, so one would assume it should be the second-most amount of the overall make-up. But I really don't see it. Also, "serrano peppers" should really just say "pepper" as it's only the slightest bits of pieces and seeds. But they do really spice it up. I can't imagine how hot they'd be if there was any more.

Anyway, if you like the heat, these might fill the bill for you.

See it on Amazon

Brand: Bumble Bee Seafoods/Brunswick
Description: Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers
Species: Herring
Country of Origin: Canada
Source:
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2

Brunswick Sardines with Mild Red Peppers

DeenLeave a comment

Tried these Brunswick Sardines with Mild Red Peppers after having the Brunswick plain skinless/boneless. They are of exactly the same quality, but with the addition of two or three skinny little red peppers. The ingredient list also states vinegar and citric acid, but it's hard to tell if that's added to the olive oil, or just required to be stated because it's in the peppers.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

They are skinless/boneless pilchards, with the peppers adding a not-overpowering spicy pepper flavor. Initially, they look like most any can of skinless boneless pilchards. After extracting a few fish, the rather substantial single pepper appeared. It is indeed a mild red pepper. Not much else to add. I like them and have re-ordered them multiple times, paying about 20% less than comparable King Oscar.

A bit of background, Brunswick was a Canadian cannery dating back to the late 19th century. It was acquired by Bumblebee, and some say the quality has suffered as a result. There's no way to make that comparison now, but suffice it to say the quality is on par with other well-regarding contemporaries.

Anyway, this is a definite try it/buy it again selection, and hard to beat at just over $2 a can. Available individually, or in lots of six or twelve at Amazon.

Brand: Bumblebee/Brunswick
Description: Sardines Served in Olive Oil with Mild Red Peppers
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

A Tale of Two Brunswick Sardines

DeenLeave a comment

The Brunswick brand, marketed by Bumblebee Seafoods, offers two different sardines that, at first glance, may seem identical, perhaps just a packaging variation. But upon closer inspection, they are two very different offerings.

Brunswick Skinless Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil

The first contains the more-traditional pilchards, the thumb-sized fish most often associated with the term sardines. Its tin is packaged in a cardboard carton.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

These compare favorably to the King Oscar offering, considered by many a standard by which to judge skinless/boneless pilchards. It can also be had a slightly better price.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: Brunswick
Description: Sardines Served in Olive Oil
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

A variation, served with mild red peppers, is also very good, and not too spicy.

Brunswick Boneless Butterflied Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

The second version, upon inspection of its ingredient list, contains herring. While the pilchards version might contain four to six fish, this one had two thick fillets spanning the length and breadth of the can.

This version also differs in that its tin is packaged in a cellophane wrapper. The description is "sardine fillets" rather than just "sardines", and "boneless butterflied" vs. "skinless/boneless". Herring is among the species legally allowed to be marketed as sardines, so technically there is no misrepresentation.

Some may be tempted to think this might be a way to enjoy herring without all the trappings of kippers and the extra sodium they usually contain. But this one at 370 mg/serving falls squarely in the middle of the sodium content found in a variety of kipper snacks.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: Brunswick
Description: Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil
Species: Herring
Country of Origin: Canada
Source:
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2

While different, both are satisfactory, quality products, so which ever one you happen to buy should not disappoint. The herring version is typically less expensive than the pilchards, with both often available just on either side of $2.