Creekstone Farms running some promotion items..

[BBQ_Bill]

They shipped it in in a styrofoam cooler with 6 ice packs.
Ordered last weekend, the 19th and it shipped last Monday arriving yesterday afternoon by FedEx.
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Basically, in looking at standard food safety rules, if the temperature of the food goes over 40°F you have a four hour time limit. It must be cooked or tossed they say for public safety and health concerns.
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However...
I am not a robot, and am a logical individual. (Try to be anyway)
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A brisket is a sterile muscle inside, (unless you stick it with a dirty probe) so the bacteria will start to multiply on the surface only.
Whatever bacteria that is on the surface will propagate when between 40°F to 140°F.
We are aware that the type of bacteria and the amount of bacteria are critical questions as far as whether the food is good to eat or not because we eat bacteria every day.
However, this is usually unknown, so we look at it as if it is contaminated badly and with really bad critters.
Bacterial excrement is another huge factor as their waste is toxic to us.
Yes, cooking kills the bacteria, but does nothing to remedy the toxins.
So with time... more baddies grow and more toxins are excremented on the surface.
Thorough rinsing will help remove surface toxins and bacteria.
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The surface bacteria HAVE been arrested, not killed by the cold shock and hold at 27°F.
Salt and searing will kill the surface baddies.
I will call Creekstone again and ask for advice as they were busy the 1st two times.
Am "on the fence" with this one...

[EdF]

Get it replaced - seriously. Too many unknowns in the picture.

[BBQ_Bill]

Am waiting to hear from them still. I am pretty sure they will replace it.
One thing to note is dry aging is NOT sterile, and the surface is bad and trimmed away on some of the worlds best steaks.

[EdF]

But dry aging is controlled. Meat in transit that arrives at that temp is not.

[BBQ_Bill]

Yeah, I am going to error on the side of safety.
My 3 dogs will love me for it too.
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Creekstone apogized and will double up on the dry ice and send one, same size, no charge.

[BBQ_Bill]

It was just an experiment, to try a higher quality meat.
No customers involved, just me and my BBQ buddies, all informed individuals but none-the-less, not worth the risk of getting sick.
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It will be cleaned, all fat removed, surface heavily trimmed, cut up, cooked well, and packet frozen for dog food.
Not wasted, just canine eaters.
So the brisket from the cow that was harvested will be eaten over the next several months.
Probably the outdoor cats will get some as well...
Sad, but that is the way it goes.

[BBQ_Bill]

Told my brother and he wants some for his dog. Am sure my brother-in-laws dog would like it too. My wife will oven cook this bad one as the dogs don't need the smoke flavor. I have lots of Hungarian "Sheep-Pig" meat to smoke as well as an Elzinga grass fed brisket to smoke this weekend.

[BBQ_Bill]

Well folks, Creekstone came thru with a replacement brisket.
It was 2 pounds lighter, but truly an incredible packer arriving at a cool 38°F.
This one (after trimming and smoking) turned out to be the most flavorful, and moist brisket I have ever smoked to date, and am nearing 200 briskets total since I started this brisket mastery "thing" back in October of 2016.
(Wanting to master brisket)
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The 'eaters' and I were SO impressed, that I ordered another 16-18 pounder to be able to have one ready for this Father's Day.
UNBELIEVABLY, today it arrived in a broken ice chest, and overheated as well
(WHAT is up with my luck here?)
So I contacted Creekstone by phone and by email with photos, and they same-day air freight/shipped me out a replacement for THIS latest over-heated brisket.
(I AM REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN)
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Once again, my 3 pups will be eating very well as their system can handle any extra bacteria, (if any) where WE cannot.
The amount of dog food in my freezer just increased by several pounds.

[Huskee]

That stinks. I have a story (that we're still dealing with) about buying a refrigerator from Home Depot that will make your luck here sound fantastic!

[EdF]

Dogs are good like that!

[Frozen Smoke]

Wow that is some bad luck BBQ_Bill at least Creek Stone is making it right for you. I've been ordering more from SRF lately than Creek Stone. I can get Creek Stone stuff through my local food service company I deal with. Never had a single issue with SRF. Frankfurters came a little thawed one time but were still icy cold to the touch so no problem. They sucked me in on their Gold Grade deal of 10% off and free shipping yesterday. I have 4 gold grade rib eyes and a Kurbota pork loin coming on Friday.