Goose Island 312 15Pk Cans

Goose Island 312 15Pk Cans is a 15-pack of the flagship 312 Urban Wheat Ale from Chicago's Goose Island Beer Company, an unfiltered wheat ale at 4.2% ABV. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival and a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup, establishing it as one of the most decorated American wheat ales on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  IBU: 18  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Unfiltered Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 by John Hall on Chicago's North Clybourn Avenue, drawing its name from a nearby island in the Chicago River. The 312 Urban Wheat Ale — named after Chicago's original area code — is brewed with a precise 42% wheat malt to 58% barley malt grain bill using Two-Row barley and Torrified Wheat. The hop profile layers Cascade, First Gold, and Mt. Hood varieties, and the beer is left unfiltered, preserving the natural haze and fuller body that distinguish it from filtered wheat ales. Mill settings are calibrated to keep grain husks intact for clean lautering while maximizing sugar extraction during the mash.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Spicy Cascade hop character leads, followed by gentle floral notes from First Gold and Mt. Hood. A soft, bready wheat undercurrent rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and lemony, leaning toward lemon citrus rather than the orange notes typical of Belgian-style wheats. Mid-palate introduces a smooth, creamy wheat texture with sweet, bready undertones from the barley malt. The low 18 IBU bitterness keeps things balanced without any sharp edges.

Finish: Clean and crisp with a short, refreshing close. A light grain sweetness lingers alongside faint hop spice before fading.

How to Drink 312 Urban Wheat

312 drinks best cold from the can or poured into a weizen glass to showcase its natural haze. A lemon wedge on the rim complements the beer's existing citrus character without overpowering it.

• Wheat Beer Shandy: Mix 312 with fresh lemonade — the ale's creamy body and lemon notes create a seamless blend.
• Beer-a-Rita: Combine with lime juice and a splash of triple sec over ice — the low IBU and wheat softness make it a natural fit.
• Radler: Pair half-and-half with grapefruit soda — the unfiltered grain body holds up against carbonated citrus mixers better than filtered lagers.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and summer cookouts where a sessionable, low-ABV beer keeps the day going
• Stocking the fridge for a weekend with friends who prefer approachable, flavorful beer
• Introducing craft beer to someone transitioning from mainstream lagers
• Pairing with grilled foods, tacos, or lighter fare where heavier ales would overpower the meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 312 Urban Wheat taste like? 312 is a bright, lemony wheat ale with a smooth, creamy body and low bitterness. The unfiltered character gives it a soft grain presence alongside spicy Cascade hop aromas.

How does 312 Urban Wheat compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Blue Moon is a Belgian-style witbier brewed with coriander and orange peel, giving it a distinctly spiced, orange-forward profile, while 312 skips the adjunct spices entirely and relies on its hop bill and wheat-barley grain ratio for flavor. 312 also registers lower bitterness at 18 IBU compared to Blue Moon's approximately 9 IBU, though 312's Cascade hops contribute a spicier aroma that Blue Moon lacks.

Is 312 Urban Wheat good for beginners? Absolutely — its 4.2% ABV, low bitterness, and creamy wheat texture make it one of the most approachable American wheat ales available. Anyone moving beyond light lagers will find familiar drinkability here with noticeably more flavor.

Where is 312 Urban Wheat made? 312 Urban Wheat Ale is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois. The beer's name pays tribute to Chicago's original telephone area code.

What foods pair well with 312 Urban Wheat? Grilled chicken or fish tacos match the beer's lemony brightness. Chicago-style hot dogs echo the local heritage and complement the wheat sweetness. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette mirror the ale's citrus notes. Soft pretzels with mustard play off the bready malt backbone. Mild cheeses like mozzarella or goat cheese pair without competing against the delicate hop profile.

What sizes does 312 Urban Wheat come in? 312 Urban Wheat Ale is available in this 15-pack of 12 oz cans, as well as 6-packs of 12 oz cans and bottles, and select draft availability.

Is 312 Urban Wheat worth the price? 312 positions as a widely available craft wheat ale that sits at a competitive price point within the everyday craft segment. The GABF Gold Medal pedigree and consistent quality make it a strong value among unfiltered American wheat ales.

Why 312 Urban Wheat?

A Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival and a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup place 312 among the most recognized American wheat ales in competition history. The deliberate 42/58 wheat-to-barley ratio and triple-hop combination of Cascade, First Gold, and Mt. Hood deliver a complexity that most mass-market wheat beers skip entirely. Unlike Belgian-style witbiers that lean on coriander and orange peel, 312 builds its flavor purely from grain and hops, making it a distinctly American take on the style. For a 4.2% ABV session beer, the depth of flavor here consistently punches above its weight class.