Create New Wish ListExcuse me sir, do you have any Gumballhead?
This is a question us beer buyers at Binny’s unfortunately have to say no to on a daily basis. Regrettably, Three Floyd’s can’t supply us with nearly enough Gumballhead to satisfy all of our thirsty customers. But we know from experience that there are several solid alternatives to the oft requested hoppy wheat beer.
Is it a pale ale or wheat beer? One of the defining characteristics of Gumballhead’s flavor is due the fact that it showcases the amarillo hop brilliantly. The amarillo hop adds a citrusy (especially grapefruit) flavor that is both unmistakable and delightful.
Here are the worthy alternates, which encompass four different styles:
Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Like Gumballhead, this is a hopped up wheat beer. It is smooth, delicious, and deceptively drinkable. It first debuted as a summer beer in 2009, but was so immensely popular that Lagunitas turned it into a year round beer and created two spin off versions of it. The main difference between the two? A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin clocks in at 7.7% ABV, which is 2.2% more than Gumballhead.
Emmett’s Victory Pale Ale Even though it is not brewed with wheat, we have found that Victory Pale Ale bares some striking resemblances to Gumballhead. They share the same citrus hop character with hints of grapefruit, orange, and pineapple. They also share the same ABV.
Founders Red’s Rye PA Like Gumballhead, Red’s Rye PA is dry-hopped with amarillo hops, resulting in some serious grapefruit flavors. However, Reds Rye PA has a spicy and crisp element from its rye malt, and unlike Gumballhead, is not brewed with any wheat.
Goose Island Sofie Sofie is a dandy choice for Gumballhead lovers willing to go out on a limb. This Belgian style farmhouse ale is light and refreshing. It has quite a bit more complexity and funk going on than Gumballhead, due to the fact that it is fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel. Amarillo is once again the hop of choice for Sofie.
So next time you can’t find any Gumballhead, don’t leave empty handed and broken hearted, try one of the beers above. There are are obviously several more worthy Gumballhead alternatives; is there a beer that you think is a suitable choice to replace Gumballhead?
I tried Emmett’s Victory Pale Ale after reading a sign at the Lake Zurich store (yes, I was looking for Gumballhead), and came away pleased with the purchase.
Anybody try blending any or all of the above to achieve a flavor profile more similar to GBH?
Southern Tier Hop Sun is a great alternative as well, while it’s available.
Had Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin and liked it…
Poor Phil’s on Marion Street in Oak Park consistently has Gumballhead on tap for $5.50 a pint. Worth the trip, and the burgers are excellent too.
I find the Boulder Hazed & Infused has a similar hop character as well. It’s a beautiful pale ale, well worth trying.
Or you could just go to the brewery which you can get too in 45 minutes and get cases of it for cheap.
victory summer love is close to it
Every cold beer cabinet in every corner liquor store in NWI has gumball head 6′s five deep. Find a Hoosier at your work, that you look down upon with disdain because unlike you they don’t pay 7k in property taxes or have, well, people from indiana peeing in their gangway after cubs games in Wrigleyville, bro, and ask them nicely to pick you up a six pack. Of course the price is higher in Indiana. Crisp 20 should get the job done and maybe one of the six beers, you know, for the effort. Go FFF!
I can think of four places in the city that constantly have Gumballhead, it’s hardly “elusive”.
I think a beer that hundreds of people ask for but can’t get at our stores on a daily basis because it sells out in a matter of hours upon arrival can indeed can be considered “elusive.”
Yeah I can think of a few places that always have it too and why would it be more expensive in indiana where the beer is made
If you know four places in the city that always have it, why read an article for alternatives?Elusive just means difficult to find. He never said the “rare” gumball head or “limited” gumball head. I know a store or two where I can find it when I need it, but I can also tell you its been close to a year since I’ve seen Binny’s have it on the shelves. Based on their large customer basis and small allotment, I can see why.
I tried the Lagunitas, but didn’t care for it much. I can’t speak for the other 3, but it wasn’t even close to gumballhead in my opinion.
Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ is an amazing beer. Not sure its that close to Gumballhead, but it’s a great beer. I like it better than GBH.
lookin for alternatives to GBH for taste and the low ABV -both equally as important to me. Emmetts Victory pale ale 5.6 tastes great but not the same ABV as GBH as stated above. GBH is 4.5
Since this blog came out, another beer has been released in Illinois that we feel is closer to Gumballhead than any other: Boulevard 80 Acre. Give this one a shot if you like Gumballhead, you will not be disappointed!
i went into my local store yesterday looking for GBH, i’ve been doing this every thursday for 4 months and had no luck. well, yesterday the guy said he thought he might have some when the delivery comes in an hour…he asked for my name and said it if was there, he’d hold some for me. i called two hours later, he confirmed that he had it and i went to pick it up……he gave me the WHOLE FRICKIN CASE!
that’s it….i just wanted to brag….i hate that they are so stingy in distribution but i got lucky yesterday.
Well done