I came across Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale while visiting Iowa for an old friend's wedding. The bright yellow label caught my eye and the description "Urban Wheat Ale" piqued my curiosity.What I discovered was a crisp and refreshing brew. There's a bit of sweetness and wheaty tang to the 312. A subtle hoppiness is present, but it's really the cereal flavour of wheat that dominates. There's also a slight hint of citrus fruit present, lending the beer only the slightest bit of bitterness. The 312 is light and its flavours are crisp and clean but gentle. Any after taste is minimal. This light body only lends to its drinkability.
Two points worth noting: At 4.2% abv, this isn't the beer for getting a quick buzz going. More important is the suggested serving temperature of 40 degrees. Serve the beer too cold and much of its flavour is lost. Serve it too warm and those flavours become messy and indistinct.
Overall the 312 is enjoyable if somewhat straightforward. Its lightness and milder flavours gives this ale a versatility. The 312 could be a real workhorse beer because it likely will pair well with a number of dishes including salads, fish, and milder cheeses like Buffalo Mozzarella. Stronger, more intense flavours on the other hand could risk overwhelming it. And of course, the 312 can be enjoyed on its own or served with a wedge of lemon or orange.
That all being said, I still have one nagging question: What the heck is urban wheat?
http://www.wheatfoods.org/UrbanWheatfield-30/Index.htm
ReplyDeleteKind of like urban farming -- a great idea.
This sounds like a good summer/bbq/poolside beer. Can you get it in Canada?
If Goose Island is using real urban wheat, and not just approriating the term for a trendy sounding label, that's really, really cool. It makes me like the beer even more, in fact.
ReplyDeleteI really like urban farming and vertical farming. Not only because they make so much practical sense -- it's a more efficient use of space and resources, it's more environmentally sustainable, and it's thought to lead to improved diets and better health -- but there's just this futuristic sci-fi aspect to it that I can't get over. There's also something to be said for the notion that they can re-knit urban communities and, in some small way, pull back on the trend of social atomization.
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-rise-of-vertical-farms