Gumballhead - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

4.31/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Review #100 for me comes on the highly anticipated after Gumballhead.

A- One of the most inticing looking wheat beers i have ever seen. Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass. Pours a hazy light copper/dark straw with a massive amounts of carbonation bubbles. Thick white head of 2 fingers that gives a great effort to stick around. Lacing holds like a beast.

S- Citrus hops- Tons of lemon, along with orange, grapefruit, with a touch of peach. Sweet wheat malts. A bit of bubble gum...big league chew?

T- Hop forward and smooth. Fantastic balance, as I wrongly anticipated more hops based on what i have heard and other reviews I've read. Huge lemon zest and citrus flavors lead the way before the wheat malt mellows things out. Hardly any bitterness despite the hop pressence. Love the complexity.

M- Mid body. Smooth, as I mentioned. High carbonation leads to a crips bite. So refreshing as i mow the lawn. Dries the mouth as I continue to drink

O- Different from any wheat beer I have had. My first from FFF, and certainly not the last. Not the huge hop bomb that i have seen writting about it. I feel it is more balance than that. Probably my 2nd favorite beer of this style behind Lil Sumpin Sumpin

No bottled on date that i could find.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:26:03 | More by Bosoxfan20

AndyP612

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into tulip.

A- Slightly hazy glowing golden with a small white head.

S- The Amarillo hops are the first thing that hits the nose. Slight bready wheat towards present as well as orange. It's not as in your face as a white IPA so I think it is true to style.

T- Hops are on the forefront follows the nose in that it's not a punch to the palate but more subtle, dry, dank hop. The finish is just a slight touch of red wheat with a little yeast and bread. It's a very well balanced and a slight dry finish.

M- Light to medium mouthfeel with low carbonation makes this extremely drinkable almost dangerously so. Not too sweet or bitter with hops and the wheat really is a nice touch to round it out.

O- I think this ale along with everything I have tried from FFF truly lives up to its reputation. There's just a comfortable dankness to their ales and this one is no different. I will definitely be drinking this when the temperature is getting up there this summer. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 00:53:57 | More by AndyP612

standardcherry

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Slightly hazy golden yellow color. Bright white head.
S: A blast of citrus hops, pineapple and peach. Sweet wheat/breadiness. Not much going on here but what little there is is very nice.
T: Doesn't taste as hoppy as it smells. Citrus (orange/grapefruit) and some sweetness from the wheat. Big bite of citrus without being too bitter at the end.
M: Light bodied with medium carbonation.
O: Very nice, light beer. Perfect summer beer in my opinion. Crisp and refreshing, I could see this being a great gateway beer for non-craft drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 07:35:51 | More by standardcherry

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Classic artwork on the bottle.

Pours a nice golden yellow with tons of carbonation and 2 fingers of fluffy, white head.

Very hop forward aroma on this one. Definite grapefruit, citrus notes like orange peel, some lemon zest and a touch of bready malt.

The flavor is quite hop forward for a Wheat beer too. There is a good amount of citrus, some pine, floral hop notes, but the grapefruit in the nose is a bit more subtle here. There is a bit of spice and some lemon zest. Rounded out by some bready malt.

The body is light and the mouthfeel is creamy from the wheat. Very balanced in the bitterness department.

One of the best Wheat beers I have ever tried and it's so refreshing that this would make for a great summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 04:19:54 | More by JohnnyMc

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

red wheat beer, not as common a style as it should be, and this one is executed well. thanks to claystation for this one, what a champion he is! this pours a slightly hazy sunset red color, pale, with almost two inches of off white head with lovely lacing. the nose is quite hoppy for a wheat beer, which is welcomed. citrus aroma on that, with a slightly sweet red malt base, the what makes the whole thing feel summery. flavor is interestingly hop forward. oranges and lemon zest are detectable, and the wheat malt is unique in the sense that it has some real oomph to it, really flavorful and not lost in the hoppy shuffle this beer has going. yeast is not the standard hefe stuff I expected it to be, but a mildly peppery soft flavored strain that lets the other flavors do most of the talking. finish is balanced, but bitterness does dial up a bit. excellent carbonation and a medium body that makes this much more of a beer drinkers beer than some others. three floyds gets so much hype from the beer community, sometimes I think their stuff doesn't live up to it very well, but this is a fine example of twisting a style to be something else entirely, and its outstanding. this one is worthy of the praise.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 17:21:49 | More by StonedTrippin

Ham-Nord

Ontario (Canada)

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Slight haze to this golden wheat beer with a solid half inch of head. Little to no lacing.

S: This beer is just bursting with beautiful aromas that invite you to dive in. Strong tropical citrus fruits. The amarillo hops really come through.

T: Amazing hop flavour, very reminiscent of tropical fruit. Minimal bitterness, with a little sweetness from the malted barley and wheat. Balanced and delicious!

M: Well carbonated, medium bodied.

O: Some of the most pronounced, yet smooth and balanced hop flavours I have tasted in a beer. I could drink this all night!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 23:00:49 | More by Ham-Nord

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle picked up from the brewery a little over a month ago. Poured into a Dogfish Head Signature glass.

A: Really nice copper color to it with about a finger of head. Fades fairly quickly but some sticks around throughout. Decent lacing.

S: Grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, and some mild grassy notes in the nose.

T: Grapefruit and tangerine really working together nicely up front. Tangerine keeps it nice and juicy. Moves to more of the lemon on the back end. Finishes clean with the lemon. I'd like to see more grassy notes and the back end to give it more of a dry finish, but I'll certainly take this any day.

M: Certainly has a much thicker body to it than your average wheat. Not entirely sure of what I think of this for the style. Works well though and kinda makes you forget what you're drinking.

O: This is a great beer. My main gripe with it would be that I don't think it's true to style. It's missing that dry finish that a good wheat should have. However, like I said, this is a great beer, just not necessarily to style.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 22:16:19 | More by mikeburd1128

RaulMondesi

California

4.19/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Raul is damn confounded. I mean, "American Pale Wheat Ale"... Those words harken Raul to some sorority party with hoochie's drinking beers with moons on the label. Regardless, Raul is straight doing this! What is going on here? There is just something so faint and delectable about this bad boi that it makes Raul want to think bad things! (In a good way, duh!). Regardless, this thing is light, airy, juicy... (kind of like Raul's baby mama when he FIRST met her) but Raul won't go there.

Peace!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:31:03 | More by RaulMondesi

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.21/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle, from memory
Riedel tulip
(funny when you have had a beer TONS of times and never reviewed)

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow color. Finger of bright white head. Tight tiny bubbles. Leaves some nice lacing as it comes down.

S: Really love the Amarillo hops that they use in this guy. Nice blast of the hops with citrus and wheat nose. Really think that this is the best wheat beer out there, as it's basically a wheat IPA.

T: Nice pine and citrus hop bitterness up front. Those Amarillo hops are a staple for FFF and I love it. Then you get that wheat back bone in the mid-palate. Some grassy notes. The finish is clean and refreshing. Slightly dry.

M: Light medium bodied beer here.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 17:36:01 | More by inlimbo77

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz bottle direct from the Three Floyds store (Munster, IN). 10.00/ 6 pack. No bottle date but it's straight from the source. Served in a Three Floyds teku.

Pours a light gold with a finger and a half white head. Head fades and leaves small spots of lace.

Smells of orangey citrus and sweet wheat.

Whoa, super orange hop profile in a wheat beer? Yes please! Oranges, a dash of spice, some sweet but chalky wheat and a little bit of faint grass/onion.

Light, refreshing body with plenty of crisp carbonation. Dry sweet wheat finish with lingering citrus.

Not sure that this is typical of pale wheat ales and that's probably why I like it more that the others I've tried in the style. A lot of flavor is packed in this relatively small package. Sweet, crisp, refreshing and easy drinking. If I ever decide to start the whole "session" thing, this would certainly become a go-to.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 17:55:05 | More by ThickNStout

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.36/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Back in the day, this used to be my go-to beer. Since I diversified my portfolio, I do not drink it as often as I should. I picked up a case yesterday at Dark Lord Day, so I figured I finally should review it.

Poured into a snifter from the bottle, the beer was a deep golden color. In smells like a Three Floyds beer. The citrus aroma pops from the top of the glass along with grassy hints hidden in the background. Orange candy and grassy notes dominate the initial taste. The hops dance on the sides of the tongue with a measure of spice. A mild level of carbonation slowly brushes the taste toward the back of the tongue, leaving the taste of orange rind to linger on the tongue. The carbonation tickles the back of the throat as the beer descends, but the citrus of the hops stays on the tongue.

This is a quality beer from the Floyds that would appease those that are not hop-heads. Gumballhead continues to be one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 23:19:04 | More by JohnnyHopps

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle into a tulip.

A - Pours a clean and bubbly amber with a bubbly off-white head. Maybe not the best head retention, and the lacing was a bit underwhelming. Gotta love the label design though!

S - Lots of zesty and citric hops. Fruity notes of pineapple, peach, and mango. Mild wheat malt backbone, but quite subtle. Very much like a pale ale aroma, rather than a wheat beer. Inviting, but maybe a little unspectacular.

T - Starts off with a full feeling wheat malt, with some sweet notes of toffee and grassy sweetness as well. Finish is a nice blend of wheat and citrusy, zesty hops. There's a slight herbal quality, maybe a touch of pine and even onion (amarillo hops?) coming through. Maybe not quite as 'refreshing' or wheaty as I had hoped, but as far as APWA's go, this is top notch.

M - Carbonated and light body. Nice and lively and fitting of the style.

D - Considering this is a style that seems to consistently disappoint, this brew was pretty tasty. It certainly doesn't have the same zesty and refreshing character that most wits and hefes have, but it isn't marketed as those either. As far as APWA's go, this was a solid brew, but it begs the question, is this an APWA at all? It's a little hoppy for the style, but it's also the most enjoyable of the style I've had.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 03:39:24 | More by Converge

jpro

South Carolina

4.16/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz single picked up at Mikkeller & Friends bottleshop in Copenhagen. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass...

A: Golden pour, with a thumb-width of cream head; nice patchy lace and sufficient retention.

S: Wheat; light bread crust; citrus hops.

T: One of the tastiest wheat beers I've had; nice, citrus, zest hoppiness - although it seems a bit muted and not quite a bright as it could be; some wheat chalkiness on the finish.

M: Medium-light feel and higher carbonation.

O: This is a great pale wheat ale; nice hop flavor and easy drinking malt character; this might be one of the top "summer beers" I can think of - would love to have access to this in SC. For a style that's usually not too exciting, this is pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 01:04:06 | More by jpro

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I poured this beer into a tulip glass, it has a look light amber color body with a small head, it def lacks the cloudy ness of a wheat beer. The smell is more like a ipa than a wheat beer. It has a citrus hop aroma to it with a hint of wheat. The taste is upfront is hop, some pine and grapefruit tastes. It also has a hint of wheat on the finish.
The mouthfeel is realy good and overall a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:43:48 | More by chefhatt

KFBR392

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Lacks the truly cloudy look of a traditional wheat beer. Head at most got slightly above a finger. Seemingly lacking head retention throughout. Carbonation at best was average throughout compared to elite wheat beers.

Smell: Wheat beer you say? Smells like a zesty IPA to me. Nice spiciness from the amarillo hops. Pine, lime, lemon, and some bright sugars. Some of the wheat accents cool off the IPA feelings toward the back end but are not a major player here. When you put aside your wheat beer expectations, this is a really wonderful aroma.

Taste: Spicy hops hit on the front end. The hops slowly subside and the body smoothes out with a very noticeable wheat flavored body. I was really surprised at how prevalent the wheat flavor was with the seeming lack of it in the aroma. A hop dryness is strongly felt on the palette after drinking.

Mouthfeel: a light to medium bodied brew which certainly carries its weight. Smooth mouthfeel going on which leaves its damage on the palette after drinking.

Overall: This beer shows the fundamental differences between American and European wheat beers. I had a Weinhenstephaner Hefeweissbier before this one and its hard to tell they are basically the same style. Hops are accented much more then the yeast in the European style. Easy to see why this is the flagship beer by Three Floyds, easily drinkable which gives it an overall commercial appeal.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 05:46:54 | More by KFBR392

AlyssaW

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- A nice golden color. The clearest wheat ale I've had. Very small head.

S- very hoppy, citrus smell.

T- Does not taste nearly as hoppy as it smells. There is more citrus with a light grapefruit and wheat undertone.

M- Light and refreshing. Highly carbonated.

O- My new favorite wheat ale. The mix of hops, citrus, and grapefruit is the perfect combination and no one ingredient overpowers another.

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 19:26:25 | More by AlyssaW

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Crystal clear golden body with a bubbly bone white head. Was expecting a cloudy body based on this being a wheat beer, but this one is completely filtered and clear.

S- Grapefruit, spicy grains, citrusy hops, fresh grass. Smells more like a hoppy pale ale than a wheat beer.

T- Wheat comes through at first, as do grainy flavors, the grapefruit and citrus comes through in a big way towards the end, but the finish has some herbal, dank, hop qualities. The combination is very good.

M- Light-medium bodied, high carbonation, crisp and refreshing, but full flavored.

O- Huge flavor for a low abv wheat beer. A really well put together beer that could fit into a few style categories.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:40:23 | More by stephenjmoore

stanolszyk24

Indiana

4.51/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Gumballhead is one of my favorite beers. It is very hard to find in the Indianapolis area but when I do find it I buy it. Highly recommended as it is a very drinkable beer and one that if you offer it to your friends they will really appreciate it and trust your beer judgement.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:43:15 | More by stanolszyk24

Qwest_35

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Wow, this is a wheat beer? Sure fooled me, this beer smells and tastes like a perfectly balanced IPA to me! Drinkability is outstanding on this one, sessionable... yes! Smells like pineapple, grapefruit and citrus. Taste is just as good as the aroma, hardley notice the wheat at all, and for me that is a good thing. I would recommend this to everybody who can get it.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 02:28:05 | More by Qwest_35

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Stone pint.

A- pours a light golden with a 2 finger white head. A few bubbles and blotches remain on the glass.

S- caramel, light bread, citrus, honey

T- honey, pale malts, caramel, nice citrus with a light bitterness.

M- light body and medium carbonation. Nice light feel from the wheat with a crisp finish.

O- very nice beer for what it is. Definitely prefer zombie dust over this but a nice light, crisp citrus beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 23:55:20 | More by kawilliams81

blakelive784

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Docrock for this extra!

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a pint glass, reviewed live:

A - Pours a hazy burnt orange color with about two fingers of soapy white head and sticky lacing. Retention is average. Lively carbonation.

S - Prominent, juicy, fresh hops notes dominate, though they're a little restrained. Light grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon zest all come to mind. Sweet base malts and spicy wheat in the background. Moderate strength. Damn, that smells good.

T - Hops notes are still a little restrained, but on par for the style. I want more. Heavy tangerine throughout, balanced modestly by crisp wheat and light malts. Incredibly easy drinking. Well balanced.

M - Heavy carbonation and a light body. Works well.

D - This'd make a great session beer. I find myself wanting more of the hops, though. Not entirely complex, but it doesn't need to be. I'd definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:12:52 | More by blakelive784

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.4/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Gumballhead pours golden and bright with a nice bubbly head the proudly sits atop and laces well.

The scent is of strong hops, piney and floral but as strong as the hops are there seems to be little to no fruit aroma.

The taste is as one dimensional as the scent. Strong piney hops with an underlying of floral hoppiness, there is very little else. Im expecting orange, lemon or grapefruit and taste nothing but piney resins. Despite the use of Amarillo hops I get a progressive muskiness which seems uncharacteristic.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 00:17:12 | More by KYGunner

themind

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This is a quality brew! I am impressed as this is a year round brew and is of the highest quality. The beer goes down smooth and is very drinkable. You could pound these things all day long. The drinkability is amazing! highly recommended!

Bottom Line: Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 00:22:02 | More by themind

iabeerbaron

Iowa

4.06/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

American-style wheat beers had become relatively insignificant to me as I delved deeper into the craft beer world. I would often run into watery, flavorless, trivial American-wheat beers still wanting to give them a fair shake and then after trying, realizing why I should avoid them. I started my love of craft beer drinking Boulevard Wheat and I will still go back to that beer, it is maybe one of the most popular American wheats out there and a great stepping stone from the Buds, Coors, and Millers, have the world into the realm of craft beer. That all changed on a Saturday in Chicago, IL.

My wife's family had a weekend planned in the Windy City and since my Dodgers were in town to face the Cubs it was the perfect opportunity to take the kids to a ball game. Beautiful weather, a couple of beers, the smell of stale piss, and hot dogs, made for a great day. Towards the end of the game my brother-in-law, Clem, asked if I would be interested in hitting a few bars around Wrigleyville. He was familiar with the area, and I wasn't, so we got the ok from the rest of the family and started our wonderful beer journey. We hit up Goose Island and then went to what is known as an Iowa bar?, Merkles (www.merkleschicago.com). Seeing a sign advertising $3 draws of Dogfish Head Aprihop made it a relatively easy decision. Anyway... after a few Aprihops I decided to try Gumballhead, this was before 3 Floyds blew up as a brewery, and I was blown away by it! Calling it an American-wheat is kind of misleading as this beer packs a pretty amazing hop punch, not much wheat present in this beer, maybe a bit on the palate at the end of the beer, but I don't care, this a very drinkable, thirst quenching, brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 18:47:16 | More by iabeerbaron

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

4.14/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Got my first 6 pack of this and did a head-to-head tasting against Lil Sumpin Sumpin to determine who the king of american wheat pale ale's was.

Light carbonation on the pour. Lots of piney notes on the nose and palate, that linger the longest with the aftertaste. Very easy drinking and enjoyable, do have to admit (only slightly) I preferred sumpin sumpin. Another great brew from FFF. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 22:19:20 | More by HopHeadCnK