The town of Whitefish, Montana may never forget the 2012 Black Star Barter. Contestants traveled in from as far as the South Pacific and Portland, Oregon to compete for their chance at a year’s supply of Black Star beer. It was clear to us that this year’s contestants were serious about winning the fifty-two cases of Montana’s finest golden lager.

Over a thousand spectators raised their 32 ounce tin mugs of cold Black Star as the Whitefish Winter Carnival’s infamous Royal Court blessed the Barter. Shortly after, parting a sea of curious onlookers, Parker Beeson had his vintage 1970 Volkswagon dubbed “the ultimate party bus” towed through the unsuspecting crowd.

Local skateboarding fans were stoked to see Al Partanen and David Gravette hop on stage as The Black Star Barrel Barneys. The two pro skaters barrel jumped and back flipped over kegs of Black Star beer.

Other highlights included the Working Women of Whitefish who rode in on donkeys as “hot pieces of ass,” a glass eating-beer chugging phenomenon, and local favorite, the Naked Noodle, who bartered a year’s supply of their delicious macaroni & cheese.

The entry that blew the crowd away, and the last thing the judges were expecting to see, was none other than a fire dancer from the Cook Islands. On this frigid night in Northwest Montana, the tanned and shirtless Troy Nooroa heated up the stage, dangerously swinging two fiery batons around his head and body.

After much deliberation from the judging panel, there was an unexpected outcome, a three-way tie between Beeson’s “Ultimate Party Bus,” Nooroa’s fire dancing, and pro skateboarder’s Partanen and Gravette’s beer stunts.

And if three winners weren’t enough to shock the crowd, the judging panel announced the one submission that stole their hearts, Peggy Miller, a nine-year breast cancer survivor who gave an emotional presentation pledging to walk fifty-two laps in the upcoming Relay for Life. In lieu of a year’s supply of beer, Black Star will donate $5,000 to the American Cancer Society on her behalf.

We were completely blown away by this year’s level of talent and creativity. A big THANK YOU to all of the participants and spectators. It was an amazing celebration of the talent of Whitefish and the spirit of Black Star beer! Cheers!