Great Northern Brewing Company - Whitefish

The Great Northern Brewing Company is a small (but ambitious) brewery in Whitefish, Montana and the makers of award-winning Black Star Beer.

The brewery is located on Whitefish's main street, Central Avenue. The tasting room is found upstairs, offering free samples Monday-Saturday. Boasting a superb view of Big Mountain, friendly faces and great beer, the Great Northern Brewing Company's Tasting Room is a Whitefish 'hot spot.'

The Great Northern Brewery was built during the fall of 1994. Started by Minott Wessinger, the great-great-grandson of Henry Weinhard, the brewery was built with a strong family tradition of brewing, and a desire to produce the finest hand crafted lagers available.

Minott grew up learning about beer from his father, Fred Wessinger, at the Blitz-Weinhard Brewery in Portland, Oregon. In 1979, the family sold Blitz-Weinhard. After 14 years away from the hustle and bustle of daily brewery life, Minott and Fred decided to build The Great Northern Brewing Company and begin brewing Black Star Golden Lager.

At this time, The Great Northern Brewing Company has an annual capacity of 6000 barrels (186,000 gallons). It is currently producing seven beers:

Wild Huckleberry Wheat Lager is a delightfully unique fruit beer, this pale brew combines the crisp dry refreshment of light lager with a tart hint of Wild Huckleberries.

Our Wheatfish Hefeweizen is smooth and light bodied wheat beer having a fresh taste. Served alone or with lemon, it’s guaranteed to quench your thirst.

Hellroaring Amber is a crisp refreshing Rocky Mountain handcrafted amber lager with medium body and hopping which gives a smooth drinkability.

Fred’s Black Lager is a light bodied, smooth dark lager with a slight roasty flavor. We dedicate this beer to Fred, a man of integrity, a master brewer, who lived the American dream.

Bear Naked Amber is an Amber Lager named by the locals of Whitefish creating a character between the malts and hopping. A beer which is robust and quite flavorful.

Going to the Sun is an American style Pale Ale which has a nice balance between malt and hops. We dry hop this beer to bring out a citrus aroma.

Snow Ghost Special Edition Winter Lager is our chocolate brown lager. It is brewed using a portion of specialty malts, giving this beer low bitterness and slightly sweet character.