I grew up outside of Chicago and even after living in Montana for more than 15 years I’m still a White Sox fan. So when I saw that Frank Thomas has his own craft beer I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to post something about it.

Unfortunately, after seeing some reviews for Big Hurt Beer, my enthusism has waned. It’s dubbed as a “crisp full-flavored imperial lager with All-Star taste and a smooth finish,” which is a bit cheesy. Plus, it comes in a 24 oz. can, so that’s rarely a good thing when it comes to craft beer.

Nonetheless, next time in Chicago or Las Vegas (the only places Big Hurt is available) I’ll no doubt have to give it a shot.

- Matt Pritchard

If you’re wandering the shelves in southwestern Montana, a new canned beer might just catch your eye. Bozeman Brewing Co. recently began canning its Bozone Select Amber and six-packs are available in Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky and Livingston. Also, with what I think is pretty cool, the can sports the slogan “Drink ‘Til MT,” which was picked out of dozens of submissions on the brewery’s Facebook page.

- Matt Pritchard

Black Star Double-Hopped Golden Lager is now out in 24 ounce cans and available in beer stores throughout Montana. If you’re a fan then this is some good news, as spring and summer are (hopefully) around the corner.

SAN FRANCISCO – Black Star Beer, the double hopped golden lager from the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish announces its first ever release of 24 ounce cans. Just in time for spring, Black Star Beer 24 ounce cans will be distributed throughout Montana, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada primarily at leading national convenience stores.

Black Star Beer is a traditional European-style Pilsner beer made with both Bavarian Mittelfrüh and Czech Saaz hops and two row malting barley. This crisp craft lager is hopped first in the kettle and then again before finishing to create a full bodied lager flavor.

“The Black Star 24 ounce can is the ultimate single package” said Minott Wessinger, founder of Black Star Beer. “You’re getting a refreshing lager with great flavor available at stores conveniently located near you. It’s the perfect way to introduce Black Star to consumers looking to try a new beer.”

The Black Star 24 ounce can retails for $1.99. As the snow melts and springtime quickly approaches, the giant golden can is the quintessential pack item for your outdoor adventures to the mountains, lakes or beaches.

“Stick one in your pack, cooler or canoe, or share them with friends at a backyard barbeque,” Minott adds.

To find convenience stores selling Black Star 24 ounce cans near you, visit Black Star’s Beer Locator and search for “Convenience” – http://blackstarbeer.com/beer-locator

Additional Black Star Spring Projects

Black Star Beer will be hitting the road this spring in its vintage Airstream. Grab your friends and join the Black Star team as they travel through San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Montana and Las Vegas visiting festivals, events and some of your favorite watering holes. Equipped with a photobooth machine that automatically uploads to Facebook and email, the Black Star Airstream will be bringing a little taste of Whitefish to you!

About Black Star Beer

Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager was first brewed in Whitefish, Montana at the Great Northern Brewing Company in 1995. The beer was created by Minott Wessinger, a fifth generation brewer and great-great grandson of West Coast brewing pioneer Henry Weinhard. Black Star is a remarkably crisp and refreshing double-hopped (dry-hopped) lager with a distinctive, hoppy aroma and a rich, full-bodied flavor.

For more information, please visit blackstarbeer.com.

Great camping beer

I found a half rack of Harvest Moon Brewing Company’s Beltian White in cans at Worden’s Market the other day, and I figured it would be the perfect camping beer. Beltian White is a nice Belgian-style wit beer with good flavor and light complexion. It’s also a really good food beer with some hints of spice and citrus characteristics.

The fact that it comes in a can makes it a great camping beer worthy of packing a half rack on ice in your cooler. Camping with kids can be an exhausting experience. Cooking food, setting up tents, cleaning up and putting kids to bed can take their toll on parents. And while I like to sip a nice whiskey or bourbon before turning in myself, a nice Beltian White would be an easy way to relax without filling up too much.

Of course, cans are easy to recycle and pack away if you’re backpacking. I haven’t seen any craft beers in a half rack until Kettlehouse Brewing Company started putting out their beers in an 8-pack. The regular 12-oz Beltian White cans come in a traditional 12-pack.

Prost,

GG

Imbibe Magazine released a list of the 10-best canned beers for the holiday weekend. I would contend they left off a few deserving breweries. Anyway, read the list for yourself here, and then tell me which beers you’d like to see added to the list. Remember, canned beers only here.

Prost,

GG

Mama's Little Yella Pils

This beer gets points simply for the name. It’s one of the more creative beer names I’ve come across in recent memory. And after enjoying a few this weekend while doing yard work and playing softball, I’m convinced it’s one of those “little helpers” that helps anyone out, whether mama or not.

This canned Pilsner from Oscar Blues Brewing Company is a nice golden color when poured into a glass. It has ample hop characteristic for a Pilsner, though the site says it’s 35 IBUs. The pale malt and lack off adjuncts certainly makes Pils much richer than a typical American-style Pilsner. I found the beer to be highly drinkable and enjoyable with typical spicy characteristics from the Czezh Saaz hops and a more bready body than I was used to.

The 5.3 percent ABV is fairly low, but drinking one of these full-bodied beers offers much more than your standard low-calorie American-style lager or Pilsner. The crafty name and the fact that it comes in cans drew plenty of attention at the softball fields, an area still dominated by blue and silver cans that say frost-brewed, whatever that means.

The slogan, “take two and call us in the morning,” is a good one for this beer.

The heavier body and breadiness gives way to a dry Pilsner-esque finish. There is a slight hint of citrus on the hops with some white pepper on the palate.

You’ll find a few of these in my fishing bag this summer.

Prost,

GG

Here’s the news out of Big Sky Brewing Company:

The rumor is true! Scape Goat and Summer Honey in Cans!!! Both for sale in the Taproom this weekend and elsewhere next week. Summer Honey will only be around for a short time in Missoula only so get it while you can!

Make sure you pick some up for softball league on Sunday. Hint, hint, Fritz!

Prost,

GG

Goodness in cans

Not sure of any details on this at this point, but reporter Tristan Scott sent me this image last night with the words, “Shipped today,” in the subject line. So, I think it’s safe to assume that a dream I’ve had since Big Sky Brewing Company introduced canned beers a few years ago has finally come true. Scape Goat Pale Ale in cans. We’re talking softball beer, river beer, hiking beer, camping beer. I’ve been waiting for a light and yet hoppy beer in a can for a while, and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of this stuff.

Prost,

GG

Sweet!

Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager

Prost,

GG

This came via Kettlehouse Brewing Company’s Facebook page. Thanks for posting.

Prost,

GG