Those who long for Black Star lager, perhaps even dream about it, can relate to Minott Wessinger. Black Star, in fact, was one of Wessinger’s greatest dreams, and it remained so even after he sold Whitefish’s Great Northern Brewing Company in 2002.
Wessinger, the great-great grandson of famed brewer Henry Weinhard, never lost the rights to the Black Star brand, nor did he lose the clarity of his Black Star vision. It was always sitting on the shelf, waiting for resurrection.
And now, Black Star lager has been revived. The Great Northern Brewing Company, on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish, is again offering the beer under the name “Minott’s Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager.” For many beer drinkers, it’s the merciful end of a long drought.
The beer was unveiled to the public at the brewery’s 15th year anniversary on Feb. 6. Wessinger built the brewery in Whitefish in 1994 and opened it in 1995.
“People are thirsty for Black Star and it’s just the right time for it to come back,” said Marcus Duffey, manager of the Great Northern Brewery and the attached Black Star Draught House.
Duffey is also minority owner of Great Northern Brewing Company, while Dennis Konopapzke is majority owner. The two brewers are Joe Barberis and Andy McQuary.
Black Star lager was once a household name in Montana beer circles. After Wessinger sold the Great Northern Brewing Company, he carried the brand with him, waiting for the right time to re-introduce it.
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Marti Alltucker pours a sample for customers at the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish. |
First, though, the entrepreneur had to attend to a stack of projects through his beverage marketing company, the McKenzie River Corporation, based out of San Francisco. McKenzie River Corporation is known for branding several big-name beverages, including Sparks and Steel Reserve.
Ashley Garver, marketing director at McKenzie River Corporation, said Great Northern Brewing Company will be the exclusive brewer for Black Star, though if demand exceeds the brewery’s capacity, Wessinger could brew additional batches through a company such as MillerCoors. Garver said the beer has a “refreshing and clean taste.”
“The beginning of the dream and what has always been the dream for Minott has always been Black Star,” Garver said. “There’s an amazing amount of passion that has been put behind Black Star.”
Black Star isn’t the only big change at the Great Northern Brewing Company. Though not quite as recent, the brewery is now divided into two business entities, as of January 2009. What used to be the brewery’s tasting room is now the Black Star Draught House, which has a separate license from the actual brewery that allows it to serve food, as well as wine and beer.
Patrons can choose from a selection of Great Northern Brewing Company beers in the draught house, along with a wine list. There is also a “fantastic sandwich menu” with a soup of the day, Duffey said.
With the separate license, the draught house is able to stay open later. Duffey said the Black Star Draught House is open seven days a week, from noon until at least 10, and sometimes until midnight or later. Duffey said there is also frequent live music.
“It’s really changed the whole face of the brewery,” Duffey said. “The atmosphere is different. It’s a lot of fun.”