Biltong Behind the Bar: COI, Storage & Service, Sorted
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Deciding whether to stock a new bar snack isn't really about taste — you already know biltong tastes good. It's about the boring questions: are you insured, where does it live, and does it slow down service? Here are the straight answers, so you can say yes without a follow-up email.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
Most venues — hotels, breweries, event spaces — need a supplier's COI on file before product comes through the door. We provide one on request. Tell us the entity name and any specific limits your venue requires, and we'll get it over before your first delivery. No scramble, no delay.
Storage & shelf life
This is where biltong quietly beats every refrigerated snack:
- No fridge, no freezer. Biltong is shelf-stable. Store it cool, dry, and breathable — not sealed airtight — and it holds for weeks. That's zero walk-in real estate.
- No spoilage at close. What you don't sell tonight is still good next week. Unsold stock is inventory, not a write-off.
- It only "ages" by drying. The failure mode for most bar food (going off) basically doesn't apply — biltong just gets firmer over time.
Running service
No prep station, no training, no new equipment. Three ways bars run it:
- By the bag off the back bar — highest margin, zero labor.
- In cups portioned ahead for quick hand-off during a rush.
- Sliced to order on a small board with cheese for a premium plate.
However you serve it, it pairs savory against beer and wine and gives staff a story to tell — which is what turns a snack into an add-on sale. (More on the margin case: why bars stock biltong.)
Getting set up
Standing weekly or monthly orders get the best trade pricing, and Austin delivery is built into our routes. Email cal@btbiltong.com with your venue, rough monthly volume, and whether you need a COI, and we'll send a trade sheet, samples, and the paperwork.
FAQ
Do you provide a certificate of insurance for venues? Yes — a COI is available on request. Send your venue's entity name and required limits and we supply it before the first delivery.
How should a bar store biltong? Cool, dry, and breathable — not sealed airtight. It's shelf-stable and holds for weeks with no refrigeration.
Does biltong slow down bar service? No. It needs no prep or equipment — sell it by the bag, portion it in cups, or slice to order.
