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Goose Island revamps a popular beer release

A favorite wheat ale gets a new look

By Mark Stock Apr 1, 2026 9:20 AM

Goose Island 312 beer. — Goose Island Brewing Co.

April stands for a lot of things. From blooming flowers and Final Four basketball to Easter brunches and spring travel, there’s a lot to look forward to. It’s a month typically home to a lot of craft beer releases as well.

While this one isn’t technically a release, it is a noteworthy revamp. Chicago craft brewery Goose Island has given a facelift to its 312 Beer, a popular ale. The new can design features the “it’s a Chicago thing” motto along with a bright yellow look.

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The clean design is a nice upgrade. The beer is available in an assortment of multipacks, all the way up to a full case (24-pack). With the Final Four and World Cup soccer just around the bend, there will be plenty of opportunities for cooler-filling in the near future.

The release comes in the wake of “312 Day,” something Goose Island launched on March 12th about a dozen years ago. It’s become a popular Windy City celebration, even acknowledged by the mayor. The new can design will be in shops starting April 7th.

The beer itself is a wheat ale with 18 IBUs and an ANV of 4.2%. It’s refreshing and great for warmer gatherings like backyard cookouts and tailgaters. It’s yet another savvy design move from a brewery that’s long played a big role in the world of craft.

Goose Island Beer Co. is based in Chicago and started back in the mid-90s. Since, it has become a major player in the circuit and the purveyors of some very sought-after beers, including an annual barrel-aged lineup.

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since… Read Full Bio

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