312 Urban Wheat - Goose Island Beer Co.

box299

Illinois

1.25/5  rDev -63.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

I have to say that I have been a long lover of the Goose Island beers but this summer I think they have "Jumped the Shark".

312 is mass produced junk that the beer distributors are now forcing on all the Chicago Street Fests... In some places it is the only beer made available... I would actually prefer a Bud to this stuff...

After reading the other review I wonder if there is a possibility that the bad taste really comes from the Giant beer truck used to pump keg after keg this summer...

The taste is sour and stale and it leaves a nasty aftertaste. I am pretty much of the belief that If I have beer and a brat I should be able to taste both of them... Not if the beer is 312...

It is safe to say that this beer doesn't really compare to either a German style or a Belgian style wheat... The color is pale cloudy yellow as you would expect. It's really the taste and the after taste that just make this a very poor choice for Goose Island to major marketing push.

So if you are going to a Chicago Street fest.... sneak something in a baby stroller

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2006 14:51:40 | More by box299

livewire78

Indiana

1.38/5  rDev -59.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Proof that not every beer tastes the same to every person.

It's yellow. Who cares?

Smells of nothing. I mean nothing. I know it's a wheat and smell isn't going to kick you in the nuts but c'mon, give me something.

Taste? What taste? Where's the lemony, zesty pale malt, or anything the hell else?

I get some carbonation in the mouth. Kinda fizzy but nothing even average.

You could drink this all day everyday if you didn't require any flavor. It sucks.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 16:37:22 | More by livewire78

brettfish34

1.43/5  rDev -58.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Nasty, garbage beer. Bought a bucket of four at a DC bar while watching a bears game because they were on special and supposed to be a Chicago beer. Can said "made in NY". That wouldn't really bother me but this beer is vomitous. I honestly would rather have a budweiser and I hate budweiser.

Serving type: can

12-10-2012 01:26:16 | More by brettfish34

MNJR

Illinois

1.48/5  rDev -57%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

This is really nasty beer. Like any bad beer, when it's really cold it's drinkable, but as it warms up - even just a little bit - the true profile comes through. This stuff needs to be near freezing to drink. Mouthfeel is grainy, taste is like stale wheat bread floating in Busch Light with a couple drops of lemon. It smells like a pile of decomposing grass clippings. Choking one down may be impossible, and after that you will not want another. I know this beer well, unfortunately, because as one other reviewer noted it is ubiquitous at Chicago street fests and bars. The smell coming off of dozens of pre-poured cups of this crap, and the pools of foamy 312 slop on the ground at outdoor beer tents is really nauseating. My neighbor presented me with a 12 pack for watching his cat, and it has been sitting by my front door for four months, which is somewhat vexing. But, I can't bring myself to just throw it out, because after all, it is technically beer. If anyone wants it, come by and you can have it for free. As The mighty Killdozer sez: "I'd rather drink from the dick of a goat!"

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2009 15:56:19 | More by MNJR

hardy008

Minnesota

1.54/5  rDev -55.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a cloudy yellow with a white head which fades quickly and leaves no lacing. The smell has some lemon and bread malt. Not much to the aroma.

The taste also has some lemon and bread malt. Somewhat grassy. Pretty bland.

Light bodied, above average carbonation. This is not a beer which impresses me at all, and I will not seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 04:17:24 | More by hardy008

ibashmuck

Wisconsin

1.73/5  rDev -49.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Big fan of the "wheat's", but this was very disappointing. Looks like a standard APWA, and the smell is fairly uninspiring. But the taste, from first drink to last, is poor. Citrus, tart, bitter...all come through far more than the wheat. No thanks.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 16:19:17 | More by ibashmuck

BearsOnAcid

Massachusetts

1.88/5  rDev -45.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Bought this for my girlfriend and now I have a bunch left over.

Pours out with a fluffy head and the color of lemonade. Smells a lot like Harpoon UFO. Slight hints of lemon and wheat.

Taste has a touch of hops in it and lemon way in the background. It's kind of bland and watery. The next few sips actually just taste like seltzer.
I guess this would be good if I wanted something really cold and refreshing after I had worked up a sweat. It's something good to have around for people who aren't into craft beer. But I can think of better local things that cost less.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2010 20:04:44 | More by BearsOnAcid

KarlHungus

Minnesota

1.9/5  rDev -44.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

This brew pours a clear pale yellowish-orange color. The head is large enough, but fades rather quickly. The aroma is of bubble gum with a mild wheat tanginess if you look really hard for it. The taste is even more faint than the aroma, with nothing really to speak of. The mouthfeel is probably the thinnest of any wheat beer I have ever had. Overall, like so many other American wheat beers, is a drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2006 21:08:15 | More by KarlHungus

outlawstar102

Illinois

1.98/5  rDev -42.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

I tried this beer because being from Chicago i was the guy people laughed at for not having tried GI 312 and by stroke of luck when i went to restaurant one day since they were out of what i had ordered, they offered me a free glass of this for free. I was not impressed at all, It was OK, but a lot of my friends made it out to be like one of the best beers out there and it is not, It is OK, but too expensive, but that is just my opinion i can respect the opinion of others who do really like this, but if I had to drink something from the GI company, i would wait for the time they release Matilda.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2011 05:48:41 | More by outlawstar102

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

2.05/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

GI- 312 Wheat

Thanks to Pimpp for this 1.

A- Bright/ hazy yellow with a small soapy head.
S- Barely anything there, light hay and lemon.
T- Again there just isn't anything there! Very faint straw/ hay wheat with a touch of lemon.
M- Very watery, slight yeast and wheat in the end.

Overall- Just too watery.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 21:28:50 | More by NJpadreFan

tobelerone

New Jersey

2.05/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Had this one at Citifield while watching the Mets beat Oakland in 13 innings last night. I was really disappointed in this one. I love wheat beers but there's simply nothing there.

A- decent golden color, some lacing. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

S- Nothing. None of the banana/clove or what-have-you aromas that make wheats so much fun.

T- bland, bland, bland. Just like the smell, there's just nothing there. As another reviewer said, I'd rather have a bud. well, almost.

M- thin and unremarkable.

D - just fine, it's thin and easily quaffable. But why?

I haven't had a ton of GI beers but I really really like Pere Jacques, Sofie, and Matilda. Had the IPA on the same night and liked it, although I found it to be middle of the road. This one was utterly forgettable, a waste of calories. Lightweight and with no real distinguishing characteristics. THis is one for the macro light beer fans only, I think. Don't get it.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 18:28:40 | More by tobelerone

freditoj

Alabama

2.05/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Served on a chilled glass, had to taste this beer as many beer connossieurs agree that it is a good brew. Had it while eating dinner at Chili's. Its color was a light transparent yellow, minimal head formation. The aroma was very citrusy. The taste on the other hand was very bitter almost like drinking sour orange juice. The aftertaste also was horrible, at least it was on happy hour. Overall I would not recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 18:59:16 | More by freditoj

bobhits

Kentucky

2.1/5  rDev -39%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Expecting a rather dull pour, this one gives a bit of hope for this beer. Good lacing, good head retention, and not nearly as clear as expected. Still a dull pale lager, but still this looks a lot better than the bud lights of the world.

The aroma goes back to dull and boring. Hints of lemon grass and wet grains mixed with some fructose to give it some sweetness come through.

Sweet grain and a hint of lemon grass. Relatively dry by most styles though for this one it could go drier without being out there. Not much to say here, rather simple and boring. The flavors aren't good or inviting but I'm only a touch put off by them.

The mouth feel is pretty good, a hint more dense due to great carbonation and almost a creamy feel in the mouth, but no extra weight to make this less drinkable.

A summer beer without question, but even a little more effort could have created a vastly better beer. As a result this one is bland and extremely boring.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 03:17:14 | More by bobhits

rlg5150

Kentucky

2.13/5  rDev -38.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance - Pours a cloudy, pale yellow with a slightly frothy decent head.

Smell - Honey and citrus up front but there's a hint of beer-y smell, like an adjunct..

Taste - Watered down taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste.. Not very pleasant.

Mouthfeel - The mouthfeel feels like a light beer. Moderate carbonation and watery.

Drinkability - Mouthfeel and low ABV makes it easy to drink but the taste makes it hard to finish even one. I really didn't enjoy this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2010 23:15:45 | More by rlg5150

BMoney575

Michigan

2.17/5  rDev -36.9%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Sampled on 5-3-07
Best before 9-24-07

Pours an extremely light yellow color, with lots of bubbles rising to the top and a million little floaters. Thin film head leaves decent lacing. It looks like pee. Honestly. A big, foamy, piss in a glass.

Smell is very light, almost nothing, with a little bit of corniness.

Taste is a little better than the smell, a hint of hops at the very start, nothing much in the middle, finishes very clean. Very bready on the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is very thin, less carbonation than you might think.

Drinkability is ok, it just doesn't offer that much.

Overall, kind of a waste. There aren't really any flavors to speak of, super thin, and not very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2007 23:21:49 | More by BMoney575

bark

Sweden

2.17/5  rDev -36.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The liquid is mid-hazy; the colour is yellow with a tint of orange. The high white head sinks slowly leaving some lacing and a thin lid on the beer.

The smell is fruity with notes of green and ripe apples, wood, French loaf, marzipan, dough, and a touch of American hops. The dough is a bit too dominant.

The taste is earthy and fruity with quite a lot of sweet apples. The body is very weak. Notes of dough, wheat flour and vegetables. The aftertaste is very short with hints of Müsli and dough.

The carbonation is light, the liquid is wishy-washy.

A beer that is too light in all aspects, with odd notes of dough and flour.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2010 18:00:56 | More by bark

carlborch

Michigan

2.2/5  rDev -36%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours bright golden with a 2-inch white head that settles slowly. The ale has a very slight haze and the haze aside, looks like a pilsner. The lacing is very modest. Hints of hops in the nose. Light on the palate. Light body. An unexpected, and to me undesirable after-taste. The unpleasant, but yet unidentified aftertaste lingers. Fortunately, the after taste is light as well. Carbonation is moderate. The wheat characteristics are barely perceptible. This is a light ale and may appeal to many for that reason. I find it a decent summer, quaffing beer, but wish it had more to offer than the pervasive lightness (carbonation, nose, body, and flavor).

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

08-04-2009 17:13:10 | More by carlborch

beerceller99

Louisiana

2.23/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

On tap at the Clyborne brew pub. Pale, clear yellow color with a wispy, thin head. Watery mouthfeel. Has a weak grainy, slightly tart malt taste. Fizzy carbonation. Weak stale bread smell. A little better than your average macro is the best I can say here

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

12-24-2005 09:50:08 | More by beerceller99

terrabyte

Wisconsin

2.25/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

This pours a cloudy, bright yellow color. The white head was short and foamy.

Smells airy and grassy. A floral smell with a hint of lemon. Not as strong smelling as some wheat beers.

The first thing I noticed about the flavor is the lack of it. The taste upfront is quite muted compared to others of its style. During the swallow there is some of that telltale lemon-wheat flavor. The aftertaste has quite the sour citrus twang.

Feels very thick in the mouth, especially at the beginning where there isn't much flavor. It sticks out and makes you think of liquid biscuits. Can seem too creamy at times. Follows through smoother and almost crisp & refreshing, except the aftertaste distracts.

This is a bit too bland and heavy for my personal drinkability.

Overall, this is a mellow beer. Not too harsh or extravagant in any direction. I can see people liking this if they're taking a break from their macro beers (As was I long ago with Spotted Cow) I think more experienced palettes can find better Wheat Brews out there.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-17-2006 15:36:40 | More by terrabyte

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a hazy yellow/ gold color, with a white head. In the aroma, a light dry wheatiness. In the taste, clean, small wheat presence. Quite watery and bland. A smooth, light mouthfeel, and a small dry citrus in the aftertaste. Mostly bland and watery, felt like a watered down wheat.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

08-03-2008 14:58:20 | More by OWSLEY069

champ103

Texas

2.28/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: Pours a cloudy yellow with a 1 finger head, and leaves a touch of lace down the glass.
S: Grainy and citrus aromas. Some bannana and coriander. Not very impressed so far.
T: Follows the nose, grainy and citrus flavors. A bit spicey with typical bannana and coriander.
M/D: Very light in the mouth, and too carbonated for me. Very crisp, and harsh. Drinkability is all right I guess. I can see this being a decent summer session if nothing else was around.

I am dissapointed with this beer. As far as aroma and taste go, there is no depth, and it is light and fizzy in the mouth. Goose Island has so many better beers than this.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

03-14-2008 16:29:25 | More by champ103

danielplainview

Kentucky

2.28/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Had a bottle of this 5-14-11

Appearance: Pale, mildly cloudy

Smell: wheaty, with a little bit of fruit showing through. Smells sweet

Taste: Run of the mill wheat beer. Needs a bit more bite for me.

Mouthfeel: light and crisp

Overall: Seems like a generic version of a Hefe. Better than most domestics but not great for the style. I can't wait to see how much worse this beer gets with A-B buying Goose Island. It already tastes like shocktop. . .

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-15-2011 17:31:10 | More by danielplainview

strattor

Idaho

2.3/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Served to me in a pint glass with a tall, frothy white head and golden yellow hazy body.

Very light aroma is slightly sweet and tart.

The flavor is much the same. Slightly sweet wheat flavor with a tart finish. The flavor is so light, though, that I could just as well mistake this for a macro like Bud Lite.

Mouthfeel is a little dull, but not terrible.

Drinking more than one of these would be a waste of time and energy. Don't bother with this one.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

06-17-2006 21:46:36 | More by strattor

chiefkellen

Illinois

2.33/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

-22oz bottle served in Weizen glass
-03/04/2010 At home, relaxed

Aroma: Some grapefruit citrus and mild hop nose with some wheat present. Light aroma.

Appearance: Very pale, translucent straw. Noticeable carbonation brings tiny bubbles to the surface forming a thin, white head that leaves no lace.

Taste: Citrus, yeast, wheat malt, and faint hops. Quickly fading flavors with no real complexity.

Palate: Very thin mouth-feel with moderate carbonation from tiny bubbles.

Overall: Not the most impressive token of this style, but a fair offering perhaps for a hot summer day. Wheat has a presence, though none of the flavors are complex and are ultimately forgettable.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

03-29-2010 21:40:21 | More by chiefkellen

JerseyKirk

New Jersey

2.33/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A: pale straw with a 1 finger white creamy head. Extreme lacing.

S: faint lemon. Nothing else.

T: grapefruit tastes more of a pale ale. Not belgian wheaty must be an american wheat. Odd after taste.

M: thin but carbonated.

O: Can drink it but not happy with it. Won't get again.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

12-22-2011 01:52:09 | More by JerseyKirk