Goose Island –Time For Some Sampling (312 Urban Wheat, Nut Brown & Summertime)

There are times when beer-planets align perfectly…when the sun shines through the beer in your glass…and all things are right in the atmosphere for enjoying some great new summer beers.  There’s a special synergy and magic that comes when you sample the right beer at the right time of day in the right weather.  Well that day is today and that beer was Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat.

I want to thank mother nature for a warm sunny Sunday afternoon on the deck, and Ken @ Goose Island for sending me some of their latest brews to try out. 

We started with 312 Urban Wheat because the packaging was simply calling out my name.  I’ve always loved the area-code named 312 Urban Wheat from a marketing point of view, and I love the 12oz can packaging (especially how multiple cans align), but I had never had the opportunity to sample it before.  312 was not just a great summer beer, but a beer loaded with flavor perfect for anytime of the year.  It pours hazy & golden and the flavor is loaded with an almost dry, yet citrusy finish…and yes there are hops in there.  The sheets say Cascade but to my palate there’s something more in the hop character that makes it really drinkable….and at just 4.4% ABV, why not.  No surprise here that 312 won GABF Gold in 2010, 2007 & 2006.

Next up we poured Goose Island Summertime.  This brew also won GABF Gold in 2002 and after a few sips I can see why.  To me it’s a classic Kolsch, BUT with a unique almost tart flavor.  Not quite citrus and not quite pure tartness, but really drinkable either way.  This beer has some body to it and while it feels bigger, it’s only 5.1% ABV.  I also really enjoyed the Saaz hop backbone that comes through at the end…very prominent considering the 20IBU rating.

Finally we poured Goose Island Nut Brown Ale.  While much different than 312 & Summertime, Nut Brown was perfectly drinkable on a warm sunny afternoon.  This brew is loaded with nutty flavor and has a more than slightly-sweet finish….but with a touch of hop-bitterness for balance.  The color is dark & rich and the body is creamy.  From a stat standpoint it’s 5.3% ABV and 25 IBU…surprisingly high for such a sweet-leaning brew.

We’ve passed through Chicago O’Hare Airport many times and I can tell you every outlet that serves Goose Island beer.  Of course we tried many of them, but there was something special about relaxing at home today with three cold Goose Island brews and really sitting down to appreciate them.  No frantic travelers, no boarding calls and no watching the clock…I have a new appreciation for Goose Island beer and whether you have a sun-filled Sunday or not, I’d definitely recommend you try all three of these out for yourself.