Gumballhead
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

4.34/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ordered a draft double-deuce at a gastropub in Louisville.

The pour showed clear brassy-gold under a substantial head that took more than a couple minutes to dissipate to a ring that hugged the glass for the entire quaff.
I brought it straight to the face and strong but pleasant wafts of coriander hit me right in the snout.
Coriander flavor followed quickly by caraway-rye tastes and orange rind notes on the attack. Lingering prickley dryness with sharp celery seed essence on the mid palate before quickly dissolving into the eponymous bazooka joe and coriander tastes that show up alongside an evolving creamy-velvety mouthfeel. Lemony esters with a hint of banana and nutmeg develop the finish.
Quite hoppy for a wheat beer, the wheat itself is not very evident aside from slightly thinned body and underlying support of the bubblegum notes. The lacings left at the top of the glass are very pretty; fine with a sugary crystalline look.
A solid, interesting beer. I’ll return to it.

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3.96/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Ok, so the bartender told me this was an IPA, it wasn’t. So after my disappointment I realized this a really tasty beer. Pale, not much head, it tastes like a wheat beer but very refreshing. I could see this being a summer crusher.

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3.85/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 ounce can into a tulip snifter. Canned 10/23/19, had 1/7/20.

Pours a nice looking, slightly hazy golden yellow with a one inch foamy head. Aroma is lots of citrus, especially orange and lemon, and a good deal of wheat. An herbal hop aroma shows as it warms. The flavor is also citrus and wheat, although the citrus is not as defined, with a slight dankness on the finish. Good amount of herbal and floral hop bitterness throughout. Smooth, good lighter body, well carbonated.

Admittedly, this is not at the top of my style list, but it’s a well made, hoppy wheat beer. Great balance between the citrus/hops and the wheat. Enjoyable.

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3.8/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a hazy dirty straw color with about a half finger of head. The nose has a sweet fruity essence. The wheat definitely comes out in the flavor profile along with a sweet note in the back ground. The finish has some decent hoppiness.

This is a solid offering. But, considering the amount of hype around this beer (and the price tag), I will pass in the future.

Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' is far superior and cheaper.

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4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had at Publicon at OHare. What a surprise. I thought a wheat beer, blah, but it was a hoppy surprise. Kind of like when my friend Mike, who has few friends, introduced me to Chris Truskey and said he is a good friend, when in reality he is a 2 out of 5 as a friend. This beer though is easily a 4. I had two in fact in order to ruin the flight. Good staying power for this ale, clean taste with a little lacing.

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3.5/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tried from a can, one-off from De Bierkoning, canned 24 July (2,5 months old). Hazy golden colour and a small white head with little retention. Aroma's of hops first, then a little sweetness and wheaty fruit. Retronasal it's fruity, wheaty, light bitter, resinous. Flavour is light moderate bitter with some wheaty sourness and light sweetness. Light bodied.Light moderate bitter finish. Pleasant.

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4.87/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Probably my favorite beer going back to when it was seasonal. My only gripe is that I can’t get it in Missouri, although the wait in between the times I get to drink it adds to the allure.

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4.2/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

LOOK - slightly hazy bright yellow gold - 1-2 finger head with low retention - I expected a bit more foam and better retention
SMELL - ample amounts of hops - fruity and sweet - some bread and biscuit
TASTE - some hop bitterness (IPA-level) - some pineapple and green apple - slight wheat - slightly sweet but doesn't last
FEEL - feels a bit thin but just into the medium bodied realm - not much carbonation or head retention for a wheat beer
OVERALL - a great tasting beer - yeah a bit thin and low carbo. but it is a good and well balance beer - seems more like a session beer even though it is 5.6% ABV - it really isn't noticeable

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3.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass. Bottled 2/23/19, so over 6 months old here. Re-reviewed on 9/13/19, after several more from the same six pack produced different views precipitated by a gentler pour.

Crystal clear golden yellow body with good streams of carbonation. Big foamy white head persists and retains well throughout, leaving some nice lacing

Aromas of hay, and faintly lemon.

Clean refreshing taste, with a little slightly sour wheatiness towards the end. It's yeasty, with a touch of lemon. Also on the dry side

Mouth around medium, finish yeasty, dry, and somewhat sour

Overall, a refreshing and enjoyable beer the third or fourth time around. It seems a careful pour avoiding the sediment did the trick for me.

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4.34/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle: Straw in color with a small head and some lacing. Smells of grain, malt and citrus. Citrus, grass and bread in the flavor ending with a hint of lemon.

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4.21/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

(12 oz bottle,bottled 02-22-19; purchased shelf single at Shangy's... poured into a Belhaven pub pint)

L: pale yellow-gold liquid, mild-moderate haze; firm, frothy mattress of white suds holding steady... left behind last 1/2" in bottle (saw sediment hanging about)... with a few oz left in the pint, did pour in the sediment, and it became slightly cloudier, that's all... fantastic foam

S: delicate grapefruit essence atop cereal maltiness... fair pop of lemon rind in the background, maybe a soft lemon tart pastry angle... aromas are densely layered (hops especially), but muddled; overall potency/vibrancy: fair+

T: clean, bready malt wash up front, hops merely adding subtle color (flowery, pithy), but the finish is fantastic, with a vibrant, fresh (vaguely sourdough) bread flavor, especially on the first sip... not sure the age on this, in regards to the hops maybe dying out, but the contrast and balance and flavor combos right now are excellent... with the sediment in, subtle earthy color only compliments and enhances the overall taste

F: altogether light-bodied, mellow in booze, softly carbonated, but with the slightest bit of a greasy pancake-batter drag to its flow... I could drink this in liters; so easy, on point; ideal for a domestic wheat

O: sought this for a long time, but I didn't try it for some reason (???) the only time I made it to FFF in IN back in 2014... not what I expected (its name has long conjured up more hefeweizen-y visions)... but one of the more instantly memorable, enjoyable American-style pale wheat beers I've tried... the modest haul I took from my first visit to Shangy's turned out some colossal duds (freshness, or lack there of), but this was a treat! (1428)

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4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle, pint glass, very faint marking of bottled 6/3/19.

Glowing gently hazed gold with a lasting cap of just off white head.

Wholesome bread, juicy fruit, tangerine, background pine.

Crisp and juicy. Similar orange citrus flavors, maybe some peach, nice round bitterness.

Soft, medium body with really active but balanced carbonation.

Overall really strong beer that I’d heard about ages ago, but hadn’t made it to Indiana to try until now. Very balanced but flavorful.

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2.75/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Finally got to try this one and had it on tap, now available in MN! Very dissapointed with this, i think i was expecting more of a wheat beer/hefewiezen but it's labeled as a pale wheat... not sure how to rate according to that style but i feel it was not a go-down easy light drinking beer, also too carbonated - which i always have and always will hate! nothing stood out in this, it wasn't horrible but very..."meh" for lack of a better word.

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4.12/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours a crystal clear bright yellow with a thick white head. So-so retention and spotty lacing. Aroma is mild citrus fruits. Flavor is a much bolder taste of the nose, sweet citrus up front, biscuit and a nice touch of hop bitterness in the finish. Feel is light bodied and lightly carbonated. Overall a fantastic thirst quencher.

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3.99/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bright golden amber, crystal clear, strong rush of bubbles to the top after the pour, settling down to a moderate to light carbonation, tall, white, fluffy, and creamy head, dropping slowly and leaving gobs of sticky, stringy lacing.

Lively aroma of citrus: lemon, grapefruit, orange peel. After a bit, the grainy malts and wheat come through as well.

Substantial wheat and grainy malts in the flavor, with a crisp citrus and lemon from the hops. While hoppier than a Belgian witbier (this is an American Pale Wheat, after all, from 3 Floyds, so what do you expect?), the hops are not overbearing, but are well balanced. Interesting interplay between the wheat and the hops gives this beer and excellent, crisp, summer flavor. No bitterness at all. The finish has a subtle sweetness, coating the tongue, leaving behind a nice lemony citrus aftertaste.

Mouthfeel has a medium body with subdued carbonation.

Overall, an excellent summer beer, easy drinking, refreshing, with an enjoyable, multifaceted flavor.

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4.31/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This was an absolutely fantastic tasting beer, really more a hybrid of a wheat beer and a pale ale (maybe even an IPA) but the flavors were so well-balanced and the beer was so crisp and refreshing that it blew me away. Looks absolutely incredible - pours a darker golden color with abundant fluffy white head and amazing looking rings of lacing that lasted forever. It doesn't look much better than this! Smells of balanced fruity and piney hops, along with some malt, vanilla, wheat and grain. Taste follows the nose, and the balance between the wheat and hops was really very well done. It was full of lemon, orange and tangerine fresh fruit while also being tamed by the mellow malt backbone and the wheat was always present, just not overpowering. Smooth, mild, slightly sticky and creamy mouthfeel and great carbonation. I would definitely buy this in a 6-pack if I find it again and would call it sessionable. My favorite pale wheat ale thus far.

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3.1/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

I was hoping for a wheat beer and instead got a BIPA. At first I was on the boarder of pouring it out since I do not drink IPAs but this one sort of grew on me as I kept sipping. The lemon finish has a good flavor.

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4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Canned on 5/16/19

Pours a crisp, deep golden orange with just a tinge of cloudiness to the body; multiple fingers of off-white head retain well, leaving a thin smattering of stringy lacing as the head recedes, alongside a thin collar and spotty cap.

Aroma opens with dense wheat and grainy nuttiness that just won’t quit, eventually welcoming in the softest undertones of herbal hops and citrus peel; direct and pretty impressive wheaty depth.

Taste of dense wheat now embraces grassy hops in good measure, adding a spicy depth to the profile while orange peel, zesty underripe citrus, dried straw, and lemon zest build quietly in the backdrop; deep wheaty tones resume dominance on the finish following an earthy tangerine ‘pop’.

Mouthfeel brings a medium body built on a silky smooth graininess and equally creamy carbonation; virtually no bitterness; slightly drying malty crispness leading into the finish, where sweaty grain gives it a boggy touch.

Heavy on the wheat and earthy tones, the depth touches an air of refinement that boosts quaffability to a high level; this one embraces its intensity to great success.

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4.01/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a medium golden color, with a fizzy and yeasty head that fades. A little darker than most wheat beers.
Aroma: Lots of lemon and tangerine citrus with a grainy and sweet honey aroma.
Taste: Taste follows the nose. Lemon and tangerine citrus hops. No bitterness. A grainy and wheat malt backbone with a little bit of yeast pepper to finish it dry. A decent mount of honey malt and it finishes subtly sweet. I suppose the sweetness plus the fruit could represent a gumball.
Feel: Very smooth and creamy, & slightly sweet. The wheat provides a nice creamy mouthfeel and a mild yeast presence to finish dry. Drinks sort of like an American hopped version of a hefeweizen or German helles lager.

Overall: A very good wheat ale with plenty of hops and flavor, yet a good amount of wheat presence. Still, less hops, bitterness, yet more wheat malt than an American Pale Ale. Hoppy wheat beers are becoming more popular and for good reason. This one is super drinkable and bursting with flavor.

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3.67/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

**
05/20/2019

Bottle to goblet.

LOOK: Bright gold, decent white head, lasting. good retention.
AROMA: Grains, wheat, that eggy smell that goes with some wheat beers-light but its there.
TASTE: wheat, grass, hay, vegetable, hint of sweetness, maybe corn.
FEEL: light to medium body, very lively. great carbonation. easy drinking, but bold and active.

Good beer for what it is.

**

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4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Deep yellow in color with just a touch of haze. Poured with a moderate, bright white foam with good retention. Medium citrus and fresh grapefruit aromas with a medium malty base and light earthy notes. Medium bodied with medium light carbonation, and creamy smooth feel. Malty flavors with citrus and mellow herbal flavors with minty notes beneath. Medium light bitterness in the middle followed by minty notes and malt. Finished smoothly with tapering herbal mint flavors and light a light citrussy bitterness.  Great hop character that is well balanced by the sweet malty backbone. Pleasantly smooth feel and easy finish. Very fresh, tasty and drinkable.

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3.84/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottled 10/12/15; drank 10/28/15 @ the Yarchives.

See-through yellow appearance; champagne bubbles throughout.

HUGE bright white head; strong, frothy lace.

Lemon zest, pineapple & honey notes in the nose.

Medium thin mouthfeel.

Pineapple & honey flavors up front; lemon zest notes on the finish.

A nice, mild session ale that would suit a summer day well.

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

My first Three Floyds.

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Slightly cloudy yellow color with a decent head and good lacing. Slightly lemony grassy smell. Very dry taste, pleasant hoppy bitterness. The beer is crisp and clean tasting. Good beer, but I think I might like Little Sumpin’ better.

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3.64/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a hazy golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is like a bowl of fruity pebbles. Taste is of citrus, melons, light pine and wheat. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a solid beer, and a interesting take on this style, but I was hoping for a bit more.

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4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, amber with a nice white head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear

S: heavy on citrus hops, pine, grapefruit

T: grapefruit and pine, lemon, bitter, finish is resin

M: full with good carbonation

O: an IPA for the bitter hop purist

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