Black Star was first brewed in Whitefish, Montana at the Great Northern Brewing Company in 1995. The beer was created by Minott Wessinger — 5th generation brewer and great-great grandson of West Coast brewing pioneer Henry Weinhard.  Minott chose Whitefish to build the Great Northern Brewing Company’s brewery because of the clean air, the pure water and the nice people.  He thought it seemed like the ideal place to brew extraordinary beers.  Turned out, he was right.

Black Star is a double-hopped golden lager based on traditional European Pilsner style beers. It is brewed with both Bavarian Mittelfrüh and Czech Saaz hops and two row malting barley. By hopping it in the kettle, and then again before finishing, Black Star opens with a distinctive hop aroma and a rich, full bodied flavor, yet closes remarkably crisp, light and refreshing.

You will probably recognize Black Star by its bright gold labels. They match the golden color of the lager itself.  If you’re looking for a place to try Black Star, use our handy beer locator.

Demand for Black Star is becoming so great that we have started brewing in Milwaukee, WI.  (Same hops, same barley, same quality and attention to brewing detail – and same grueling winter conditions.)  Although Black Star is available in just a few places, this is only the beginning.  We truly hope you enjoy Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager as much as we enjoy brewing it.

A “double hopped” (dry hopped) unique American lager based on traditional European Pilsners with a crisp refreshing body and lots of taste. We add hops in the kettle and then again before finishing for aromatic quality.

The Great Northern Brewing Company offers the finest quality ales and lagers in a variety of year-round and seasonal styles. Through the use of a traditional “Gravity Flow” arrangement, the beers are made in the tradition of artisan brewing with one of the most sophisticated brew houses for its size in the entire country.  Many of the beers are available on draught and package around the state of Montana.  Black Star is currently the only beer from the brewery available outside the state of Montana.   For additional information on the beer brewed at the Great Northern Brewery, visit the website.

Wheatfish Wheat Lager – American Hefeweizen

Wild Huckleberry Wheat Lager – Wheat Beer with Fruit

Buckin’ Horse Pilsner – Bohemian Pilsner

Hellroaring Amber Lager – Amber Lager

Fred’s Black Lager – German Schwarzbier (black beer)

Going to the Sun IPA – American IPA

Big Fog ESB – American ESB

SnowGhost Winter Lager – Winter Lager

Frog Hop Fresh Hopped Pale Ale – Fresh hopped American Pale Ale

Glacier Chaser Marzen Lager – German Marzen

Pack String Porter – American Porter

Barrel Aged No. 1 – Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter

Barrel Aged No.2 – Bourbon Barrel Aged Ale

Good Medicine Imperial Ale – Imperial Ale