The Beer Snob's Beer Reviews

1,248 beers…a year’s supply of beer, one case a week for 52 weeks. If you’d like to win that much beer, and you have a wild and crazy streak and a great imagination, you could be the one to walk away with the big prize!

Black Star Beer is holding a beer barter contest. The Barter is a new addition to this year’s 52nd annual Whitefish Winter Carnival, held February 4-6, 2011, in Whitefish, Montana. Interested? Here’s what Black Star has to say about it…

On Saturday, February 5th, 2011 Black Star Beer, the double hopped golden lager from the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish, Montana, will host The Black Star Barter. The Barter is officially an exciting new addition to this year’s 52nd annual Whitefish Winter Carnival, held February 4-6, 2011.

Black Star Beer is asking their consumers and fans to get creative in answering the question: What would you do or trade for a year’s supply of Black Star Beer? They are looking for contestants to barter their most over-the-top, outrageous submissions, and share their fantastic creations to try and win a year’s supply – 52 cases – of the crisp, refreshing, double hopped golden lager.

To participate, contestants must show up with their barter submission at the Great Northern Brewing Company on February 5, 2011 at 11:00am MST. The Black Star Barter will begin promptly at 1:00pm MST and end at 3:00pm MST. Contestants will be given an entry number and will be asked to present their barter entry to a colorful panel of judges. The judges will rank all barter submissions based on creativity, awesomeness, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm. One lucky contestant will win a year’s supply of Black Star Beer.

Minott Wessinger, founder of Black Star, is excited to be bringing back the Beer Barter to the town of Whitefish. “We hosted the event in the year 2000 and it was a huge hit with the community,” says Minott. “We hope to see and welcome many off-the-wall entries.”

Every year in Whitefish, Montana the Flathead Valley celebrates the Whitefish Winter Carnival based on the lore and history of Ullr, the God of Snow. Ross Strauser, Chairman of the Whitefish Winter Carnival Committee, says he and the rest of the board are “excited to add The Black Star Barter to the official schedule of events. The Barter is a perfect complement to the fun and outlandish events that take place over Winter Carnival Weekend.”

Large crowds are expected, so spectators are encouraged to come early to enjoy the brewery and beer garden. Ongoing events will take place throughout the weekend including the Penguin Plunge and Winter Carnival Parade. In addition, everyone is invited to the 16th Anniversary party of the Great Northern Brewing Company that night, February 5th, from 7pm until 9pm.

For registration, updates and more information, head to http://www.blackstarbeer.com/barter or email barter@blackstarbeer.com.