Three Floyds Gumballhead Many Variety 12Pk Cans

Three Floyds Gumballhead Many Variety 12Pk Cans is a mixed 12-pack of four hop-forward ales from 3 Floyds Brewing, ranging from 4.8–8.5% ABV. The flagship Gumballhead Wheat Pale Ale holds a 95/100 from Beer & Brewing Magazine and a 93 on BeerAdvocate, making this variety pack a strong entry point into one of Indiana's most respected craft beer lineups.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%–8.5% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Munster, Indiana, USA  |  Style: Hop-Forward Variety Pack  |  Brewery: 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

3 Floyds Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 in Munster, Indiana, and quickly earned a reputation for aggressive, hop-forward beers that helped define the Midwest craft brewing movement. The Gumballhead line is anchored by white wheat in the grain bill, which delivers a smooth, creamy body, while hand-selected Amarillo hops from Washington's Yakima Valley provide the signature citrus and stone fruit character that runs through every expression in this pack. This 12-pack collects four distinct interpretations of that core identity: the original Gumballhead Wheat Pale Ale (5.6% ABV), Gumballhead Hazy IPA (6.5% ABV), Gumballhead Double IPA (8.5% ABV), and Gumballhead Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale (4.8% ABV).

Tasting Notes

Gumballhead Wheat Pale Ale (5.6% ABV): Bright grapefruit and peach aromatics from the Amarillo hops open things up, followed by pale grainy wheat, lemongrass, and a whisper of green apple. The palate is light and effervescent with ruby-red grapefruit, lemon-lime zest, and freshly baked wheat bread at the center. Finishes clean and lemony with lingering citrus pith.

Gumballhead Hazy IPA (6.5% ABV): Tropical fruit aromatics lean toward tangerine and pineapple with a soft, hazy mouthfeel. More resinous hop presence emerges on the mid-palate while the wheat base keeps it balanced and drinkable.

Gumballhead Double IPA (8.5% ABV): The highest-ABV entry amplifies the citrus and pine hop character with a fuller body and moderate malt sweetness. The finish is warming but not cloying, with a long bitter tail.

Gumballhead Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale (4.8% ABV): The lightest beer in the pack adds real blood orange and lemon character over a crisp wheat base. Fruit-forward and refreshing with minimal bitterness, it leans sessionable.

How to Drink the Gumballhead Variety Pack

Each beer drinks best chilled to 40–45°F. The Wheat Pale Ale and Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale shine poured into a standard pint glass, while the Hazy IPA and Double IPA benefit from a tulip or stemmed craft beer glass to concentrate aromatics. The Wheat Pale Ale pairs naturally with fish tacos, where its citrus hop profile cuts through richness and complements lime and cilantro. The Double IPA stands up to bold barbecue like smoked brisket, matching intensity with intensity. The Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale works as a palate-refresher alongside a charcuterie board, where its low ABV and bright acidity cleanse between bites of cured meats and aged cheeses.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer fan to the full Gumballhead range in a single purchase
• Stocking a cooler for a backyard cookout with options across ABV and intensity
• Gifting a hop-forward beer enthusiast who appreciates Midwest craft brewing
• Side-by-side tastings to explore how one hop variety (Amarillo) performs across four styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gumballhead taste like? The core flavor profile across the Gumballhead line features vibrant grapefruit, peach, and lemon citrus notes from Amarillo hops layered over a smooth, creamy white wheat base. Individual expressions range from the bright, sessionable Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale to the more resinous, warming Double IPA.

How does Gumballhead compare to Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale? Both are widely regarded as top-tier hoppy American wheat ales, but Gumballhead is frequently cited for achieving a more harmonious balance between hops and wheat, where reviewers note the two elements complement rather than compete. A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' tends to run slightly higher in ABV (7.5%) with a more malt-forward backbone, while Gumballhead's Amarillo-driven citrus character stays lighter on its feet.

Is Gumballhead good for beginners? The variety pack is an excellent way for newer craft beer drinkers to ease in, starting with the approachable 4.8% Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale and working up to the 8.5% Double IPA. The wheat base across all four styles provides a soft, accessible mouthfeel that avoids the aggressive bitterness some beginners find off-putting in IPAs.

Where is Gumballhead made? Gumballhead is brewed by 3 Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, Indiana, a town in the northwest corner of the state near the Illinois border. The brewery has operated in Munster since its founding in 1996 and distributes primarily across the Midwest.

What foods pair well with Gumballhead? Fish tacos and ceviche match the citrus hop character of the Wheat Pale Ale; smoked brisket or pulled pork stands up to the Double IPA's intensity; fresh goat cheese and arugula salads complement the Blood Orange and Lemon Pale Ale's brightness; spicy Thai noodles work with the Hazy IPA's tropical fruit and creamy body; and soft pretzels with mustard are a classic pairing for any wheat-based ale.

What sizes does Gumballhead come in? This variety pack is sold as a 12-pack of cans containing three cans of each of the four Gumballhead styles. Individual Gumballhead expressions, particularly the flagship Wheat Pale Ale, are also available in 6-packs and on draft depending on market availability.

Is the Gumballhead Variety Pack worth the price? The pack positions in the mid-range craft beer tier and delivers strong value by bundling four distinct styles — including the 93-rated flagship — into a single purchase. For fans of hop-forward wheat ales, it represents a comprehensive tour of the Gumballhead family at a lower per-can cost than buying each style individually.

Why Gumballhead?

The Gumballhead Wheat Pale Ale earned its reputation as one of the most consistently lauded American wheat ales over nearly three decades, scoring a 95/100 from Beer & Brewing Magazine and a 93 on BeerAdvocate across more than 6,400 ratings. What distinguishes this variety pack is the chance to see how 3 Floyds' brewers push a single core idea — Amarillo hops over white wheat — across four meaningfully different expressions, from a 4.8% fruit-forward pale ale to an 8.5% double IPA. The hand-selected Yakima Valley Amarillo hops remain the throughline, but each style expresses them differently: bright and lemony in the original, tropical in the Hazy IPA, resinous in the Double, and fruit-accented in the Blood Orange and Lemon. Few variety packs tell a cohesive story this clearly while still delivering genuine stylistic range.