Goose Island 312 4Pk Cans

Goose Island 312 4Pk Cans is a 4.2% ABV unfiltered urban wheat ale from Chicago, sold in a four-pack of cans. Named after the city's iconic area code, this wheat ale earned a Gold Medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival and stands out in the category for its use of torrified wheat, which lends a distinctively creamy body and hazy pour.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Urban Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.  |  IBU: 18

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Co. was founded in 1988 by John Hall on Chicago's North Clybourn Avenue and is now part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev portfolio. The 312 wheat ale is built on a mashbill of 58% barley malt and 42% wheat malt, with the wheat component featuring torrified (pressure-cooked) grain rather than conventional wheat malt. This technique — more commonly seen in Belgian-style Witbier production — contributes a slightly nutty character, improved foam retention, and the beer's signature unfiltered haze. Cascade hops provide the sole hop addition, kept restrained at 18 IBUs to let the grain bill drive the flavor.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Spicy Cascade hop character leads, followed by fresh bread crust and a faint whiff of banana. A light lemony citrus lifts the nose without overwhelming the malt.

Taste: The entry is soft and wheaty, with fresh biscuit and a thread of honey from the malt backbone. Mid-palate, lemon citrus and subtle clove spice emerge, balanced by the creamy mouthfeel that torrified wheat provides. The overall impression is bright and approachable, with just enough complexity to hold attention.

Finish: Medium-short with a gentle bitterness and pleasant dryness that keeps the palate clean. A lingering creaminess and trace of lemon zest fade slowly.

How to Drink 312

Pour into a weizen glass or tulip pint to appreciate the hazy golden color and persistent white head. This wheat ale drinks best cold, around 40–45°F, and needs no garnish. Shandy: The lemony citrus profile pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a refreshing summer shandy. Michelada: The creamy wheat body stands up well to lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. Beermosa: The light biscuit and citrus notes blend seamlessly with fresh orange juice for a brunch-ready serve.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where something light and flavorful beats a standard lager
• Introducing craft beer to friends who normally reach for macro wheat ales
• Game-day drinking where sessionability at 4.2% ABV matters
• A weeknight beer that delivers real flavor without heaviness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 312 taste like? Goose Island 312 tastes like fresh biscuit and lemon citrus wrapped in a creamy, slightly wheaty body, with subtle spice from Cascade hops and a clean, gently bitter finish.

How does 312 compare to Blue Moon? Blue Moon Belgian White leans into orange peel and coriander spice typical of the Witbier style, while 312 skews more toward lemony citrus with a biscuity malt character and no added spices or fruit peel. Both are wheat-forward, but 312 gets its complexity from its grain bill — specifically the torrified wheat — rather than adjunct additions.

Is 312 good for craft beer beginners? Yes — at 4.2% ABV and only 18 IBUs, it is one of the most approachable craft wheat ales available, delivering genuine wheat ale character without aggressive bitterness or high alcohol.

Where is 312 made? Goose Island 312 is brewed by Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, and takes its name from Chicago's original telephone area code.

What foods pair well with 312? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the lemony citrus notes. A classic Chicago-style hot dog mirrors the beer's hometown roots and matches its light body. Caprese salad pairs well with the creamy wheat texture. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the biscuity malt, and lighter Thai dishes benefit from the beer's subtle spice and refreshing finish.

What sizes does 312 come in? This listing is a four-pack of cans; Goose Island 312 is also commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans and bottles, as well as on draft.

Is 312 worth the price? Goose Island 312 positions as an accessible, everyday craft wheat ale — priced competitively within the domestic craft segment and delivering a Gold Medal-winning recipe at a sessionable ABV that justifies repeat purchases.

Why 312?

The use of torrified wheat in the grain bill is the detail that separates 312 from the crowd of American wheat ales. Where most competitors rely on standard wheat malt or lean on adjunct spices and citrus peel, Goose Island builds its creamy texture and hazy appearance from the brewing process itself. The 2010 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal validated what Chicago drinkers already knew — this is a wheat ale with genuine craft credentials. At 4.2% ABV and 18 IBUs, it sits in a sweet spot of flavor and drinkability that has kept it a flagship for over a decade.