Continuing with the low ABV series this week, today we will be drinking the Three Floyds Gumballhead. Coming in at only 4.8%, you’d be surprised at how much hop flavor comes out of this 12 ounce bottle. Part of me thinks that’s a problem, though. This is way too hoppy to be considered a true wheat beer – it comes across more like a very light IPA. But hey…I’m not one to bitch about too many hops so here we go. Gumballhead is the session drinkers dream. If you like to drink lighter beers in the summer or at sporting events (but don’t like to give up on flavor) this may be the session beer you’ve been looking for. It has the signature Three Floyds taste but you could easily nail a sixer of these and be just fine.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Betty Wright “Clean Up Woman”
Brewery: Three Floyds
Beer: Gumballhead
Style: Wheat Ale
Location: Munster, Indiana
ABV: 4.8%
Rating: 90/100
Posted by theReaper16 on April 14, 2010 at 9:01 AM
In the text portion of the review you mention a “signature Three Floyds taste.” Could you elaborate upon what that taste is? I’ve only had Alpha King, Dreadnaught and Dark Lord by them and didn’t notice a signature taste (ala the taste of Rogue’s Pacman yeast that makes lots of Rogue beers taste similar).
Posted by thehopry on April 14, 2010 at 9:44 AM
I mean that the Gumballhead, Alpha King, and Dreadnaught all taste virtually the same. The main difference would be the strength based on ABV. You could say the same for Blind Pig, Elder, and Younger. All have the signature RR taste, but with different levels of intensity.
Posted by BrothersinBrewing on April 14, 2010 at 9:18 AM
I wasn’t exactly impressed with this beer in any way shape or form. Was it smooth and easy to drink, yes. However, it didn’t have that” umph” factor that I like in my beer, something to keep you curious long after you recycle the bottle or move onto your next endeavor.
No criticism to you Mark, but I think it’s rated a bit high, I would give it a decent 85, and to me that’s high. Just my opinion.
Posted by thehopry on April 14, 2010 at 9:52 AM
But do you typically look for “umph factor” from an American Wheat Ale? I don’t. With that said, I have to score based partially on the style and how it compares to others in this style. For a wheat beer this has a ton of flavor (primarily from the addition of hops) which makes me happy. And by all means, score it what you like. My score is nothing more than an opinion and/or best estimate of my experience…
Posted by BrothersinBrewing on April 14, 2010 at 9:58 PM
I agree with your reasoning. I will give it another go this weekend and get back to you. Thanks for the prompt and honest response. I enjoy your reviews greatly.
Posted by lukewid on September 10, 2010 at 2:34 AM
In one of the newer issues of Beer Advocate they discuss the creation of a new style called the American Pale Wheat, basically the hop characteristics of a pale with a more full body due to the incorporation of wheat. This beer was mentioned in the article, but I don’t know a thing about it because we don’t get any FFF in Seattle. I’d recommend trying Lagunitas’ A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ as soon as possible, it has that “umph fator” at 7.3% and it’s chalked full of hops. It really makes me feel like I’m drinking a bigger, chewier Dale’s Pale Ale.