Since this is my first posting here I would like to make a few things clear.  First I want to thank Joe and Henry for letting me contribute in my small way. Secondly I want to give a little introduction to what I’m gonna be doing here and how it’s is all going to work.  To start with I want you to know I’m not a beer snob. Sure I love a good Guinness and like many I love a well done Micro-Brew, but I’m not above drinking a classic American lager or even a light beer (I’ve probably had enough Miller Lite in my life to fill an Olympic size swimming pool). I intend to review as wide a variety of beer as possible My intention is to provide an insight into each new beer I try so you might not have to, unless of course you want to.  With the current renaissance in the American beer industry, I think it’s hard to decide what to drink especially at a grocery or liquor store. And many of us (myself included) have stuck to our old favorites, instead of buying that strange 6 pack that looks like it was bottled from someones bathtub and labeled with a  DYMO label maker. With that in mind when I review a beer instead of giving it a number or my seal of approval I will let everyone know what it has in common with other beers so if someone happens read this and like the other beers I mention this may lead them to a new beer. So essentially I’m here to take one for the team; I mean who wants to drink this much anyway. OK now the fun part the review.

312 - Urban Wheat Beer

Brewery: Goose Island - Chicago, IL

Light—|———-Dark

Malty ———|—- Bitter (hoppy)

4.2% ABV

312 is Goose Island’s take on a English style wheat ale, and I have to say right out of the bottle its got a nice golden straw color and a pleasant thick head.  The first sip was interesting you get a smooth taste of the wheat and malts that this beer has to offer, and then you get socked by the bitter hops. At first this was a bit disconcerting, but eventually it all melds together.  With an overall flavor I found more consistent with an IPA (largely due to the hoppy bitterness) this is an interesting take on wheat beer.  I was a bit taken aback at first by the noticeable bitter finish (I personally tend to like a little less hops), but by the time I finished, the flavors in this beer seemed to compliment each other very well. The bitter and floral hops offset the sometimes fruity aspect of the wheat.  By a few sips in the bite of the hops felt more normal and complimented the light wheat flavors well. Additionally the fact that 312 is unfiltered I think adds to the complexity of the taste and while it might not be my first choice at the bar I think 312 is a good strong wheat beer.

The skinny -If you are a fan of Sam Adams Summer Ale or other summer ales, or if you like Blue Moon or Boddington’s but are looking for something with a little more bite this could be a great beer for you. Personally I would find 312 better suited to a meal pairing than a night of drinking, but that’s me if I’m having just beer for dinner i tend to like it a little smoother.

-Mike Fournier