Couldn't resist another Goose Island beer, after their IPA was so deliciously lovely, and this wheat ale looked like a good choice. This is an 'Urban Wheat Ale', apparently, but I have no idea what makes it 'urban'. Perhaps it's the addition of concrete, smog and kebabs... If you're wondering why it is called 312, then I'm afraid I can offer no explanation, as the bottle doesn't give any background... However, a quick Google search reveals that it is the area code for downtown Chicago, the home of the brewery.
Pours relatively clear, and kicks up a modest foamy white head, considering the abundance of carbonation that is visible. Dark straw in colour, with a touch of haziness.
Nothing exciting on the nose, but some grain, cereal and wheat are clear with a mellow toasted sweetness. Overcooked / stewed hops are detectable, but without any redeeming fruitiness or other trademark hop aromas.
For some reason, I expected this to taste like a German Weizen, but it is actually just a pale ale! Light malts are there; biscuit and honey sweetness with wheat flavours clearly evident. Grapefruit, pineapple and lemon kick-in mid-palate, with a hint of cream soda. Some pine hop flavours and gentle bitterness on the finish. Linger is not very lingery at all, as the flavours quickly desert the palate.
Light bodied, light carbonation and no real astringency to it, which is disappointing as there is good balance between the malt and hops, offering sweetness & bitterness in equal measure; albeit slightly meagre measures. The beer does have a pleasant creaminess to it, but at the same time it is too thin (if that makes sense)
The wheat doesn't really add anything special or 'whacky' to the flavour profile, which is ultimately disappointing. It's a shame as it does taste alright, but would I buy it again? Probably not.
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