Re-launched on February 6, 2010, to great marketing fanfare and a push to create a national brand, Great Northern Brewing Co. has ended production of Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager.

Black Star sought to cut into the traditional macro-adjunct-lager market by providing a beer with better flavor and quality, but retaining a similar price point. Twenty-four ounce cans, for example, retailed for approx. $1.99.

Billed as a traditional European-style Pilsner, Black Star was made with Bavarian Mittelfrüh and Czech Saaz hops and two row malt.  Most of the production took place in Wisconsin.  The brewery in Whitefish brewed Black Star for the draft market in Montana.

Black Star was created and first brewed in 1995 by Minott Wessinger, fifth generation brewer and great-great grandson of west coast brewing pioneer Henry Weinhard.  According to Jessica Lucey, Retail Marketing and Promotions Manager at Great Northern Brewing Co., Mr. Wessinger, who owns the recipe to Black Star Beer, decided to focus on other projects.

Apparently, Black Star’s vintage airstream trailer and its digital photo booth (which could immediately email photos to patrons or upload them to Facebook) has also hung up the stainless steel.  As for the popular Black Star Barter event held during Whitefish, MT’s Winter Carnival, the brewery plans to continue its run of zany fun.