Black Hills State athletics has announced its partnership with Spearfish Brewing Company to launch a new Yellow Jacket Beer.

The beer is currently in production and set to debut at the Gold Rush Raffle on May 1.

Following the raffle, the Yellow Jacket Beer will be available to enjoy in local bars and restaurants throughout the region, with a percentage of every beverage sold coming back to BHSU to provide scholarships to our student-athletes.

"Black Hills State University athletics is excited to extend our Yellow Jacket brand with our very own branded beer," said Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations, Thayer Trenhaile. "This partnership will provide us even more opportunity to enhance the student-athlete experience here, and we cannot thank Spearfish Brewing Company enough."

Both BHSU and Spearfish Brewing are looking forward to the partnership, which joins only a handful of partnerships like it in the nation.

"All of us at Spearfish Brewing are extremely excited about this opportunity," said Ryan Wordeman, co-owner of Spearfish Brewing. "While it involves a product we are passionate about, it also assists our student athletes in achieving their goals. Many of us at SBC are BHSU Alumni, so partnering with BHSU is a wonderful and greatly appreciated opportunity. We look forward to seeing people enjoy the Yellow Jacket beer in our taproom and throughout the area."

While Spearfish Brewing is making the beer, Fisher Beverage will be the distributor, ensuring its availability throughout the area.

"This will help us expand our brand, not only in the Black Hills, but also across the state and region," said Trenhaile, "A big kudos to the crew at Fisher Beverage for helping us to do that by distributing the beer throughout western South Dakota. It will be fun to watch the Yellow Jacket family come together again and enjoy this beer while cheering on the Yellow Jackets."

If you would like to purchase this beer, please contact your local Fisher Beverage rep, or call 605-342-0155.