Steve Samuelson has been keeping a secret. A very tasty secret.

The WYOld West master brewer and co-owner has a new beer only known by its code name; Project B. This dry-hopped gem starts with a pleasantly mild bite as it passes the lips and teeth, but then that very slight bitterness instantly gives way to smooth earthy tones as it glides down the throat.

The refreshing flavor is like one of those dreams, that if you could, you would have every night. The taste is bright with the color of home-brewed sun tea that’s been sitting in the south window of the kitchen the entirety of a bright, hot day.

Project B is being made by Samuelson in collaboration with the Powell Economic Partnership (PEP) and, after extensive testing this summer, will be canned for distribution across the state.

“We’ll take it out on the road with us all summer long,” Samuelson said of the brewery’s aggressive beer festival schedule. “We're going to get opinions on it, see what the people think. I have a pretty strong opinion right now. But I just want to get confirmation before I put it in cans.”

For the first time the brewery will enter four of their brews to compete in the Great American Beer Festival this fall. The competition in Denver will be stiff. Last year 250 judges from 10 countries evaluated 9,298 entries at the festival that attracted 40,000 thirsty attendees. Imagine going to a party that would rank as the third largest city in Wyoming.

The project was first proposed by Rebekah Burns, executive director of the Powell Economic Partnership (PEP), as a unique way to fund a new outdoor recreation project.

“This is a super exciting way to help us fund the Rail with Trail project in Powell,” she said.

The AmeriCorps VISTA team in the city has been working for the past year on the trail, part of a multi-year effort. The team will go in front of the city and county to officially propose the project as soon as they get 1,000 signatures on their petition. They had about 900 signatures late last week.

“This public/private partnership with WYOld West is really a funding mechanism for the trail. So just like their Mule Deer [collaboration with Mule Deer Foundation], when you buy a six pack, get a pint, quart or buy a keg, a portion of those proceeds will go to this pathway, which is really huge,” Burns said.

Until then, the trick will be to get your hands on it. Like every secret, once it’s out the news will spread like wildfire and this brew is currently being made in very limited quantities. The first chance Park County beer aficionados can get a taste of Project B without a long drive will be July 20 at the Yellowstone Beerfest in Cody. The brewery has been with the festival since its inception.

Samuelson has been guarding his secret, but early reviews are already proving to be successful, he said.

He served the IPA to a group of PEP employees, several who are not fans of the style of beer — including Burns. But those opinions were likely formed from drinking IPAs that are like a grapefruit bomb. Project B is different.

“It’s a perfect choice after you've biked 11 miles from Garland to Ralston to come back to WYOld West for a brew,” Burns said.

The proposed trail will run adjacent to the railroad tracks and the canal, giving hikers and bikers an opportunity to stretch their legs in the great outdoors.

“It's one of the front country outdoor rec opportunities that we've been working on really hard for the past handful of years,” she said.

Samuelson is keen on collaborations and was allowed to create his vision of a perfect post-exercise beer. Working with other breweries and non-profit organizations raises needed funds for special causes and helps give the brewery exposure in a world where beer choices are many.

“We can do these small batches. We don't have to do thousands of cases like the bigger guys; we can do a couple hundred cases and get it out in the market and do a positive job and make some serious money for the causes,” Samuelson said.

He hinted that he might hook up a keg at one or both locations in Cody and Powell. He suggests keeping your eye on the brewery's Facebook page for special announcements about his new brew.