Beer and clubs have been synonymous for many years, and while a country club is a far cry from the conventional locations where alcoholic beverages are consumed, it is still a club. What type of club would it be if no one was drinking a beer or two?
A favorite summer pleasure is hitting the links, and there’s nothing like a few beers while doing so. After all, we can all admit that golf and beer go together like a dream.
So gather the lads and a bottle opener, and join us for a nine-hole swing session in a can. Your handicap may not appreciate it, but your palate will.
Here are the best beers, aside from the popular corona beer, to drink at the country club as we wait for 18 holes.
Evil Twin Citra Sunshine Slacker
Alcohol by volume: 4.5%
Slacking, sunshine, and a copyright-friendly artwork of The Dude are all right there on the can. The session IPA from this respected Danish brewer is ideal for a relaxing spring afternoon at the country club or, come the 2nd week of April, in front of the television. A smooth hop bite, loads of citruses, and an ABV that says “I’m a grownup with something to do later…maybe” are all there.
Lord Hobo Boomsauce
Alcohol by volume: 7.8%
New England IPAs—a juicy, hazy spin on the classic hop bomb—are all the rage, and there’s no better spot to begin than with one from the northeast. The flagship of Lord Hobo is a classic example, flowing a deep golden orange and brimming with citrus, tropical fruit, and pine flavors. With a name like Boomsauce, it’ll almost certainly add 10 yards to your drive.
Natural Light
Alcohol by volume: 4.2%
Natural Light is one of the best golf course beers available, and you don’t need Smylie Kaufman to tell you that. It’s highly drinkable, with only 4.2 percent alcohol.
You’ll also burn off whatever you drink by the conclusion of the round, with only 95 calories per can! Whenever you want to save some money while still having a nice beverage on the course, this is the beer to choose.
Coors (Light)
Alcohol by volume: 4.2%
If Natty Light isn’t your thing, try Coors. The “banquets” or the lights are both wonderfully crushable lagers for a golf course. Coors is a crowd-pleaser on a hot day on the course, and it’s a little sweeter (and more pricey) than Natural Light.
Founders Solid Gold
Alcohol by volume: 4.4%
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a plain old beer, let alone one worth drinking, in a sea of goses, double IPAs, sours, and funky farmhouse saisons. Founders’ Solid Gold is a slightly creamy, delightfully foamy elixir that tastes precisely like beer in Mad Men episodes. Remember to thank the Solid Gold in two years, when the American beer rebirth is in full force.
Breckenridge Brewery Nitro Irish Stout
Alcohol by volume: 4.8%
Even if you want to travel to Royal Portrush for a good Irish stout, you don’t have to. So, if your trip to Ireland is canceled, try Breck Brewing’s year-round nitro stout, which is brewed with roasted Irish barley and infused with a hefty dose of nitro creaminess.
Savannah River Brewing Co. No Jacket Required Czech Pilsner
Alcohol by volume: 4.9%
Do you want to use some Master’s magic at the turn? The Savannah River Brewing Co.’s No Jacket Required Czech Pilsner, just down the road from Augusta National, is just the bubbly ticket. The No Jacket, a dry, crisp Czech Pilsner packed with Saaz hops and European malt will have beer connoisseurs and weekend warriors alike exclaiming amen.
21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Watermelon
Alcohol by volume: 4.9%
21st Amendment’s Hell or High Watermelon, a veteran of the watermelon beer wars, is the easy-drinking wheat beer you need to wash down the chili cheese dog you just wolfed at the turn. Even your friend who hasn’t had anything besides Bud Light since freshman year would like its well-balanced take on the often overpowering fruit beer. Oh, and if you’re concerned about your manliness, carry a coozie with you.
Sunriver Brewing “Rippin”
Alcohol by volume: 6%
This beer is easy to drink yet packs a punch. Rippin is among the all-time favorite golf course beers, with overtones of pine, tropical fruit, and citrus; it’s called an IPA, but it sips more like a lager. Rippin will be a staple for years to come since it’s easygoing enough to have some on the course yet strong enough to bring you to that “sweet spot.”
Saint Archer Gold
Alcohol by volume: 4.2%
Look no further than Saint Archer Brewing Co.’s brand-new beer, the Saint Archer Gold, if you’re attempting to get in condition this season but can’t bring yourself to down a Michelob Ultra. It just has 95 calories and 2.6 grams of carbohydrates. This slim can continue Saint Archer’s adventurous legacy (professional surfers and skateboarders created the brewery) by venturing into territory where most craft brands will not: the saturated realm of light beer.
Sierra Nevada “Pale”
Alcohol by volume: 5.6%
If you prefer a pale ale to a light lager, Sierra Nevada has a pale ale that is wonderfully drinkable while providing the hop-kick you crave. Sierra Nevada Pale has been a top pick of many for decades and is widely available in 12-packs of cans. Your golf mates will not be disappointed if you bring a pack of these to the course.
Maine Beer Company Lunch
Alcohol by volume: 7%
The nicest part about Lunch, one of Maine Beer Company’s signature IPAs, is that you don’t have to bring one with you (although the fresh, piney blend of Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops is pretty nice too).
Cigar City Brewing Maduro Brown Ale
Alcohol by volume: 5.5%
If you’re attempting to cut down on those mid-round cigars, try Cigar City Brewing’s Maduro Brown Ale, which has a mellow blend of oatmeal, roasted malt, and chocolate that mimics the classic stogie style.
Modelo Especial Mexican Lager Beer
Alcohol by volume: 4.4%
Get yourself some Modelos if you want a major upgrade from the cheap stuff yet want an easy-drinking and wonderfully delicious lager. Imported from Mexico, this light lager is a top-rated golf course beer. Modelo is a highly refreshing and delicious beer with a low ABV that regularly finds its way into everyone’s golf cart coolers.