Gumballhead - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

alysmith4

District of Columbia

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Wow. Such a simple beer, but has to be one of my all-time favorites. I could drink this beer all day every day, and have traded for it twice already. I'm even considering brewing a clone of it.

Anyway, it's fresh, citrusy, slightly sweet (tropical fruit), piney, and not bitter at all. It's like all the best flavors of the (Amarillo) hop, with none of the bitterness. I'm thinking the wheat-backbone is what does it. I'd call this beer a gateway beer, as it could ease one into trying hops without being knocked over by acidity and bitterness.

Love love love Gumballhead. He's kinda cute too.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 14:52:42 | More by alysmith4

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

sjones5045

New Jersey

4.46/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had the second of the two Gumballhead that I was able to get. Pours a nice yellowish orange with an OK head. The smell is phenomenal. I'm a sucker for a sweet hoppy smell that is headed up with an abundance of citrus notes. The taste is very good as well. The citrus gets you up front followed by a relatively smooth hoppy finish. The only negative to say is that it doesn't go far enough with the citrus and hops like the top notch double IPA's out there. No doubt this is a very good beer that I would get again though.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 18:27:22 | More by sjones5045

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

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Looks like a pale lager, but with much more lacing on the glass.

Smell: Sweet grapefruit with a very slight hint of hef-like bubblegum.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Quite astringent for a light ale. Tastes like citrus-flavored oil with a slight backround of clove. Mouthfeel is definitely a bit too thin, especially considering the IPA-like grapefruit flavors in this.

Overall Drinkability: Excellent combination of an IPA, a hef, and light wheat ale or lager. I wish it would push the envelope a bit regarding the flavors, but I will definitely get this again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2013 23:28:50 | More by tjsdomer2

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

weonfire

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Light golden color. crystal clear. pencil thin head that dissipates quickly. trickle of carbonation from bottom. Just a tiny bit of lacing.

S - Citrus. specifically lemon and orange.

T - Right off, wheat flavor is almost surprising- didn't smell it at all. Tiny sweet wheat quickly turns and lets the small bit of hops jump in the party giving a light bitter taste. Grapefruit, orange and lemon.

M - Nice amount of carbonation. A wee bit frothy.

O - Real easy to drink. Feels light. Low ABVs. Both wheat and hops combine really well. Carbonation gives a nice pop on the tongue. Would rate it higher but not a whole lot of smell. Regardless- very fine brew by FFF

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 01:38:36 | More by weonfire

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From: Three Floyds brewpub
Date: None, but purchased from the brewery recently
Glass: Standard US pint glass

Three Floyds' Gumballhead is a very hop-forward American wheat ale, which focuses upon what might be the perfection of the hopburst technique by the resident brewmaster. While the malts are notable at occasion in the aroma and taste, they are clearly well in the back, as in most Three Floyds' beers, with the emphasis here on hops and tropical fruit flavors. I find this beer undeniably delicious, my only complaint being that like so many of the Three Floyds' beers, its nearly sole focus is on the hops, rendering the beer a bit one-dimensional on that flavor axis, as well as similar to many of the breweries' other offerings in its intense hoppiness.

Pours a tall, 3cm head of fairly clean white foam, made up of medium and large-sized bubbles, with average retention, fading within a minute or so to a thin ring around the glass and a fine film of foam atop the body. Lacing is good, several lines and Rorschach-like blots adorn the glass after the head recedes. The body is a golden orange color (light brings out pale yellow-gold hues), hazy, but still able to be seen through, with fairly vigorous and visible carbonation.

Aroma is enjoyable and complex, significant amarillo hop presence (a mixture of grapefruit, orange, lemon, coriander, Spanish moss, and a hint of dried onion) with mild malt sweetness and slight ammonia.

Tasting opens with a sweet, slightly grainy wheat and barley malt mixture, but I also detect some coriander and fruity hop contributions (lemon, orange, mango) making an appearance. Mid-palate picks up fairly intense amarillo hops (again, lemon, orange, pineapple, and mango) atop a grainy-tasting malt base that never quite balances out the hops. Back of palate picks up little bitterness, but plenty of continued hop flavor (lemon, orange, and mango), finishing with a grainy wheat flavor. Aftertaste of lingering citrus hops (grapefruit along with lemon and orange peel, primarily).

Body is medium-light with carbonation levels that are moderately high, leading to a mouthfeel that is at first briefly fizzy, then quickly becoming foamy and smooth. Finishes semi-dry, with little stickiness on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 06:05:14 | More by falloutsnow

Cee-Poe

Wisconsin

4.49/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The wheat ale for the hop head...

A -- Slight haze with a straw appearance and a Swiss cheese two finger head

S -- The first notice that this is not your average wheat ale. The aroma pulls much more of hops than banana or other usual notes from other wheat beers.

T -- A good deal of hops coming forward with a great aftertaste.

M -- Large bubbles and a light feel work well with this style of beer

O -- Not being too large a fan of wheat ales, this is a remarkably easy drinker that I will be happy to have again

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 20:12:53 | More by Cee-Poe

Alextricity

Michigan

4.09/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: A pale, yellow color ... just about what you'd expect from a wheat ale. There's a pretty decent bubbly head on it, and patchy, slightly above average lacing. The label is probably my favorite on any beer that I've ever had.

Smell: Just an awesome nose on this one. You get some wheat characteristics, but there are plenty of hops of the grapefruit variety.

Taste/feel: It's likely just because of the name, and I know I'm drinking it, but I honestly feel like I get some bubblegum flavors out of this beer -- there's a lot of fruity hops at the front of the tongue, and then the wheat comes through on the finish. Maybe that bubblegum flavor is just the peach coming through, but I can pretend what I want! Anyway, just an awesomely refreshing beer without much bitterness. Any state that gets this beer shipped to them should consider themselves extremely lucky, as this would make for an ideal session beer... I'd drink it just about daily in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 00:23:33 | More by Alextricity

zrbeer1579

Illinois

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

Appearance: Very slight hazy light peach and gold with a two finger white head, which dissipated quickly. A little bit of yeast in suspension. Little lacing.

Aroma: Grapefruit, peach, citrus zest, and faint pine and floral. Some wheat and light malts in the background.

Taste: Very similar to the smell. Grapefruit, peach, and citrus zest. As well as some floral. Some wheat in the middle but mainly hops. A nice wheat taste in the finish. It is not strong but plenty to keep up with the hops.

Mouthfeel: Median- light bodied. Median carbonation. Very smooth. Bitterness is very light. Wet finish.

Overall: Definitely not a normal pale wheat, but it's quite lovely and refreshing. It deserves the attention it gets.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:26:55 | More by zrbeer1579

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- Pours a deep golden color. Slight haze from the wheat and bottle conditioning. No sediment, but still mostly clear as opposed to hazed. About a 1.5 finger, frothy head develops on this one. Great retention and pretty good lacing.

S- Moderate hops bang right up front. Nothing too big, but the hops are definitely prominent. Hops bitterness is primarily of pine aromas with maybe a hint of floral depth and sweetness. Underlying sweeter, grainy flavor from the wheat and light malts.

T- Smooth blend of hops bitterness and wheat grain smoothness preside throughout the drink. Hops take the front seat to the grain on the front half, with low to moderate bitterness that matches the scent. Wheat emerges as the drink ends. Provides a smoothness and quells the hops bitterness a little. Slight grain bite ends the drink along with a slight resurgence of hops. On the back end, a very slight lemon flavor compliments the wheat, along with a hint of sweetness.

M- Smooth and light on the palate while still being on the creamy side. High carbonation and weight of the wheat grain make it sit in the stomach a little more than other pale ales, but not more than other wheats. Easy to drink and refreshing for a hot day while still providing a hops fix.

Overall, there is a reason people living near me in the Hoosier state clamor for this beer. It lives up to expectations and is an extremely smooth and satisfying beer. The sum of the parts is definitely greater than the whole with this beer. Perfect for the beer drinker who likes wheat beers and is looking to transition to pale ales and IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 00:20:48 | More by boilermakerbrew

ShaunNewman

Florida

4.36/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle to a tapered pub glass.

A- light gold, slightly cloudy. White quickly dissipating head. Left no lacing.

S- medium high orange zest and white grapefruit. Sight wheat spice.

T- grapefruit and a background of tropical fruits. Sight bready malt on the back.

M- medium high carbonation. Medium body.

O- a moderately high hop session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 23:14:28 | More by ShaunNewman

Efay

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I was first introduced to Gumballhead in the Chicago Reader. I used to love the comics of a badass cat and his feats. A short google search showed me that it was also a beer from a brewery only an hour away from my house. Gumballhead was my first craft beer and I hold it close to my heart. I thought this beer deserved a full review from me, so I had it at my local bar.

A- Transparent golden yellow, with 2 fingers worth of foam. White frothy foam that had great head retention.

S- Predominately honey and grapefruit. Some light malt and it ends with light piney hops.

T- Large amounts of honey, with limited amount of piney hops. The wheat, malt, and honey are more dominant and are complimented by the hops.

M- Extremely light and moderate amount of carbonation makes this go down really smooth.

O- I love this beer. This really has a decent complexity with not an overbearing amount of hops. I'm a malt guy and really enjoyed all that this has to offer. I don't know if this batch was better than my last one but it tasted so good.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 15:11:24 | More by Efay

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A- pours a filtered clean golden color,1-finger head, minimal lacing.

S-Citrus hops all the way, grapefruit, lemon, and floral. No yeast or wheat in sight, or smell.
As it warms, the hops fade some to reveal a sweetness, maybe that's the wheat.

T- Citrus hop flavors, Bittersweet, like a halved grapefruit laced with sugar. I do not pick up the wheat.

M- Light and sweet, but this isn't coffee. It counters the sweetness with a hop finish. Easy drinking.

O- On its own, I enjoyed this beer. But a Pale Wheat Ale aka German-style hefe? Not IMO.
At just 28 ibu, the citrus hops dominate, which I like, although that trait doesn't marry with the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 19:39:42 | More by NiceTaps

rawfish

California

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear and golden color with a pillowey white foam atop, two fingers at maximum with average retention leaving some rings of lacing.

Amazing aroma for a wheat beer packed full of light floral hops this really does have a small lemony wheat and grain malt profile with a floral hop bouquet that is really reminiscent of bubblegum though I smell passion fruit, grapefruit and guava with some lemon zip.

Clean, slightly grainy malt with lemon rind from the wheat that is rather dull at the forefront. Slight hops with bright citrus and pine come through on the finish, neither terribly bitter or drying.

Light body, crisp feel with a very well carbonated beer that brings forth the aroma and the snappy lemon and wheat.

What a fun and snappy beer to have, finally an American wheat done right, if only others would follow suit. Gumballhead is as good as its reputation, would quickly get again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 03:28:32 | More by rawfish