Three Floyds Gumballhead 6Pk Cans

Three Floyds Gumballhead 6Pk Cans is an American Wheat Pale Ale from Munster, Indiana, packaged as six 12 oz cans at 5.6% ABV. Scoring 95/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a 93 on BeerAdvocate from over 6,400 ratings, Gumballhead has earned its reputation as one of the Midwest's most celebrated wheat ales — a beer defined by the seamless interplay of American red wheat and Amarillo hops.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.6%  |  Origin: Munster, Indiana, USA  |  Style: American Wheat Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing

Production & Heritage

Three Floyds Brewing, founded in 1996 by Nick Floyd and his father and brother in Munster, Indiana, built its name on aggressively hopped, uncompromising ales. Gumballhead is brewed with a generous proportion of American red wheat alongside traditional barley, then dry hopped with hand-selected Amarillo hops sourced from Washington's Yakima Valley. The result is a wheat ale that leans into hop character far more than the style typically allows — the red wheat provides a soft, bready backbone while the single-hop Amarillo addition drives the citrus-forward aromatics that define the beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright grapefruit and ripe peach lead the nose immediately, followed by orange rind and a grassy, slightly floral hop presence. A soft wheat sweetness sits underneath, grounding the citrus aromatics.

Taste: The entry is clean and effervescent, with a burst of grapefruit and green apple giving way to honeydew melon and a gentle wheat sweetness at mid-palate. The Amarillo hops assert themselves with floral, citrusy notes that complement rather than overpower the grainy red wheat body, creating a balanced push and pull between malt softness and hop vibrancy.

Finish: Crisp and moderately dry, finishing with lemony zest and a faint herbal bitterness. The wheat smooths out the landing, leaving a refreshing, clean close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Gumballhead

Gumballhead drinks best cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a wide-mouthed glass to release the hop aromatics. Its citrus-forward profile and moderate ABV make it a natural session beer for warm-weather drinking. For a Radler, combine it with fresh lemonade; the existing lemon zest character amplifies naturally. In a Beer Shandy with grapefruit juice, the Amarillo hop citrus doubles down beautifully. It also works as the base for a Wheat Beer Michelada, where its bright acidity and light body pair well with lime, hot sauce, and tomato.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather sessions where a full-flavored but drinkable beer is essential
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to citrus-forward American ales without overwhelming bitterness
• Pairing with grilled seafood or lighter fare where a heavy stout or IPA would overpower the food
• Gifting to craft beer fans who appreciate Midwest brewing culture and limited-distribution ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gumballhead taste like? Gumballhead delivers bright grapefruit, peach, and green apple flavors supported by a soft, bready wheat base, finishing with lemony zest and moderate hop bitterness. It strikes a balance between citrus hop character and smooth wheat sweetness that keeps it refreshing and highly drinkable.

How does Gumballhead compare to Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale? Both are hop-forward wheat ales, but Gumballhead uses a single Amarillo hop varietal and American red wheat that work in tight harmony, whereas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' runs hotter at 7.5% ABV with a more aggressive, multi-hop bitterness. Gumballhead is the more balanced and sessionable of the two, with its wheat and hops in closer conversation.

Is Gumballhead good for beginners? Yes — its 5.6% ABV, approachable citrus flavors, and smooth wheat body make it an excellent entry point into American craft ales without the palate shock of a high-IBU IPA.

Where is Gumballhead made? Gumballhead is brewed at Three Floyds Brewing in Munster, Indiana, a town in the northwest corner of the state near the Illinois border. The Amarillo hops used in the beer are sourced from the Yakima Valley in Washington State.

What foods pair well with Gumballhead? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus acidity cutting through the char. A summer salad with goat cheese and peach mirrors the stone-fruit hop notes. Lighter Thai dishes like papaya salad complement the floral Amarillo character. Mild soft cheeses like brie let the wheat sweetness come forward. Lemon-herb roasted chicken is a natural pairing given the beer's lemony finish.

What sizes does Gumballhead come in? Gumballhead is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, and may also be found on draft at select bars and taprooms in its distribution area.

Is Gumballhead worth the price? Gumballhead positions as a premium craft wheat ale, and its 95/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and strong BeerAdvocate rating of 93 place it among the top-rated beers in its style — strong value for a beer with this level of critical recognition and limited regional distribution.

Why Gumballhead?

What separates Gumballhead from the crowded American wheat ale field is discipline. Rather than layering multiple hop varietals, Three Floyds trusts the singular Amarillo hop to carry the aromatic weight, and that restraint pays off — the grapefruit, peach, and floral notes come through with unusual clarity. The American red wheat provides a richer, more textured malt character than standard wheat ales, giving the beer structure without heaviness. With a 95/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and nearly 200,000 user ratings on Untappd, Gumballhead has proven itself as one of the most consistent and respected wheat ales in American craft brewing.