5 Perfect International Beer & Course Pairings

August 1, 2014

International Drink Beer Day allows us to consider some of the great brews of the world. But few things are as well matched as a cold beer after a hot summer golf round. Here’s a tip of the glass to some of the world’s most popular beers, their breweries and the nearby courses on which they can be enjoyed.

“Boddie” & Withington Golf Club (Manchester, England)

Boddingtons Bitter is known as the Cream of Manchester. It’s a toasty brew that is highly regarded among locals – maybe even more than the city’s famous premier football (soccer) team and industrial heritage. The Withington Golf Club is also highly regarded. It is known to be one of the finest 18-hole parkland golf courses in the area and its 6,388 yards offer a true test for amateurs and professionals alike.

Guinness & The K Club – The Palmer Ryder Cup Course (Straffan, Ireland)

What is the first thing a beer lover thinks of when Ireland is brought up? Guinness, of course. A golf lover, however, thinks of the great Irish layouts such as the K Club’s Palmer Ryder Cup Course. It’s located west of Dublin and was the site of the 2006 Ryder Cup as well as numerous Irish Opens. Note that the K Club is rated one of the best parkland courses in Ireland, and thus it plays more like Bay Hill (another Arnold Palmer design) than Ballybunion and its links land brethren.

Murphy’s & Callan Golf Club (Callan, Ireland)

Unlike Guinness, Murphy’s Stout is a little less bitter and heavy and takes more of a soft, creamy approach. The Callan course, just north of Cork, is a true parkland layout with lush, tree-lined fairways, and the two make for a dynamic pairing.

Tennent’s Lager & Bishopbriggs Golf Club (Glasgow, Scotland)

There are hints that brewing at the Wellpark Brewery location in Glasgow dates all the way back to the 1550s. Golf may predate that, but not by much. Few can decide which they like more – 18 holes and then a Tennent’s pale lager, or the other way around. Bishopbriggs is a parkland course with decidedly modern features such as a large practice facility with covered hitting bays, a 9-hole junior course and a remodeled clubhouse.

Belhaven Scottish Ale & Longniddry Golf Club (Longniddry, Scotland)

As the oldest beer still brewing at Belhaven, the Scottish Ale is a hoppy and malty classic that the locals continue to enjoy. With a sweet, smooth finish and ruby in color, it’s the perfect beer to enjoy after a round. Not only is Scotland proud to produce this fine brew, The Longniddry Golf Club is located on what is arguably the finest stretch of golfing coastline in the country. Often the host of amateur championships, this course will test the abilities of both newcomers and regular patrons.

With all of these amazing courses and the beers to accompany them, we think today is most definitely worthy of a toast.