Goose Island 312 6Pk

Goose Island 312 6Pk is a 4.2% ABV unfiltered wheat ale brewed in Chicago by Goose Island Beer Company, sold here as a six-pack. Named after Chicago's original area code, this sessionable wheat ale earned a Gold Medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival and a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup — credentials that place it among the most decorated American wheat beers available.

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

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 by John Hall on Chicago's North Clybourn Avenue, growing from a single brewpub into one of the most recognized craft beer names in the country. The 312 wheat ale is built on a grain bill of 42% wheat malt and 58% barley malt, using 2-Row Malt alongside torrified wheat — wheat kernels that have been heated rapidly until they puff, creating a softer, creamier body and the beer's signature hazy, cloudy appearance. Cascade hops provide a measured spiciness at a restrained 18 IBUs, and the beer is left deliberately unfiltered to preserve its characteristic texture and yeast-driven complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opening with yeasty, fresh-baked baguette crust and chamois leather, the nose shifts into zesty lemon peel and grassy-herbal Cascade hop notes. A faint floral sweetness lingers underneath.

Taste: The entry is bright and lemony, with a creamy wheat mouthfeel that rolls across the mid-palate. Biscuity malt emerges to balance the citrus, while a light hoppy spice adds structure without bitterness. The overall impression is sweet, malty, and wheaty with a distinct floral undercurrent.

Finish: Clean and crisp with a gentle sweet fade, leaving behind traces of dried lemon zest and soft wheat. The finish is short and refreshing, inviting the next sip immediately.

How to Drink 312

Pour into a wheat beer glass or tall pint to showcase the hazy golden color and allow the aromas to open up; this is a beer meant to be served cold, ideally around 40–45°F. A lemon wedge on the rim is a classic pairing, though the beer has enough citrus character to stand on its own. For cocktail-curious drinkers, 312 works well in a Beer Margarita (Beergarita), where its wheat creaminess smooths out the tequila and lime; a Shandy, where its lemony profile amplifies fresh lemonade rather than fighting it; or a Michelada, where the light body and low bitterness create a clean canvas for tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing someone to craft wheat beers beyond mass-market options
• Pairing with casual summer meals like grilled fish tacos or pizza
• Bringing to a gathering as a crowd-friendly, low-ABV session beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 312 taste like? Goose Island 312 delivers a bright, lemony flavor balanced by creamy wheat and biscuity malt, with a subtle floral and herbal hop character and very low bitterness at just 18 IBUs.

How does 312 compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are popular unfiltered wheat beers, but 312 uses Cascade hops for a more distinctly American hop character and a slightly drier finish, while Blue Moon leans into Belgian-style spicing with coriander and Valencia orange peel. Many drinkers consider 312 a touch more hop-forward and less sweet than Blue Moon.

Is 312 good for beginners? Absolutely — its low 4.2% ABV, mild bitterness, and approachable wheat-and-lemon flavor profile make it one of the easiest entry points into American craft beer and wheat ale styles.

Where is 312 made? Goose Island 312 is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company, which was founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. The beer's name pays tribute to Chicago's original telephone area code.

What foods pair well with 312? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus brightness; thin-crust pizza matches its biscuity malt backbone; fresh salads with vinaigrette complement its lemon notes; soft pretzels with mustard echo the wheaty, bready character; and lighter seafood like shrimp or ceviche pair naturally with its crisp, clean body.

What sizes does 312 come in? The expression featured here is the standard six-pack format; Goose Island 312 is also commonly available in 12-packs, 15-packs, and single cans or bottles depending on market availability.

Is 312 worth the price? Goose Island 312 positions as an accessible, everyday craft wheat ale — priced competitively within the American craft six-pack tier. Its Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal and World Beer Cup Silver Medal give it a quality pedigree that punches above typical beers in this range.

Why 312?

What separates 312 from the crowded American wheat beer field is Goose Island's specific use of torrified wheat in the grain bill, a production choice that gives the beer its distinctive creamy body and natural haze without requiring any artificial haze agents. The 2010 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal validated what Chicago drinkers already knew — this is a benchmark American wheat ale. At 4.2% ABV, it remains genuinely sessionable without sacrificing flavor depth, and its Cascade hop backbone provides a clean, spicy character that keeps the sweetness in check. For a wheat ale that reflects both its city and its category with real technical credibility, 312 delivers.