4th of July & Golf

As the 4th of July was rapidly approaching this year, I tried my hardest to reflect on how Independence Day and golf go hand in hand.  Naturally, I was leaning toward a lot of patriotic themes such as featuring my favorite red, white, and blue gear, but with the US Open just a couple of weeks ago, that just felt too played out.  After exchanging a few random emails with my guy, Brandon, over at TRUE Linkswear (just name dropping in blogs), it hit me.  What’s a more 4th of July meal than bratwurst, hot dogs, and beers?!  These three things also happen to be the GOAT of all golf course halfway house meals in which the quality of any halfway house should be measured by.

The Hot Dog

Look, I’m not here to debate what you should and shouldn’t put on your hot dog.  I’m from Chicago, I’ll put ketchup on a dog and I know plenty of others that will do the same.  I’m also not here to debate how you cook them – as long as it’s not the microwave.  Disgusting.  What we can all agree on is that the hot dog and the 4th of July are pretty much synonymous.  You could probably call it “Hot Dog Independence Day” in America at this point if you wanted to.  Hell, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is on the 4th every year and draws massive crowds from all over the WORLD.

Anyway, throw a few on a paper plate with a good bun, grab some Ruffles potato chips, some French onion dip made from “your grandma’s” recipe (aka the side of the box), and light off a few Black Cats in the driveway.

The Brat

If the hot dog isn’t exciting enough for you, a good bratwurst certainly is.  Especially if you’re on the golf course – it’s always better.  I personally like “variants” of brats if available (cheddar brats ftw), but on the 4th of July, you go plain ole beer-boiled and finished on the grill.  I generally like to go with mustard and ketchup with a little diced onion, MAYBE a dash of celery salt.  (Seriously a DASH or it can be awful.)  Crush a couple of these after the parade, turn the sprinkler on in the yard for the kids, and crack a beer.  Or if you’re on the course, get a couple at the turn, reapply a fresh coat of SKIN Sunscreen, grab some beers for the cooler on the cart, and get back out there to break the course record.

The Beer

In the last couple of years, a golf friend of mine introduced me to Firestone Walker’s 805.  805 is a refreshing blonde ale that has only recently been widely distributed and perfectly embodies the “laid back California lifestyle.”  This friend said to me, “you will never enjoy a beer on the golf course more than 805.  If it ever makes its way to Chicago, get some and take it golfing.”

Boy, was ole Matthew right.  When I thought of the perfect combination of brats, dogs, and beers for a hot Summer 4th of July round, 805 was the clear choice…

But then I thought, “wait a minute!  We’re talking ’bout ‘Murica here!  We’re talking the 4TH OF JULY! (Ever heard of it?)  We need the most American of American beers (at least stereotypically)!”  I strongly encourage you to enjoy a Firestone Walker 805 sometime, but there’s only one acceptable beer for your quick bite at the turn on the 4th of July.

Budweiser.  This classic American lager may as well burst with Bald Eagles, baseballs, and fireworks every time you open it.  I’m pretty sure George Washington was drinking a Budweiser when he crossed the Delaware River.  Is it the best beer in the world?  Maybe to some (shout out, Big Tom), maybe not to others.  Is it the most American and a 4th of July necessity?  You better believe it’s 100% the most American beer!

Honorable Mention: Natural Light Naturdays.  What is Naturdays?  A gift to the beer world unlike anything we’ve seen in centuries.  It’s a “sessionable” light lager with strawberry and lemonade flavors mixed in.  As Natural Light puts it, it’s for “those who like strawberry lemonade…and drinking beer.”  It’s not part of America’s foundation, but it’s still a delightful summer beer while you’re manning the grill in 100º weather.

Happy 4th of July!

So there you have it.  Not much more American than grilled hot dogs, brats, and a Budweiser on the 4th of July.  Even better if you can get a round of golf in with it.  If you can’t, enjoy the food, family, and don’t be the weirdo at the parade that forgets it’s for the kids and not you.  Also, careful you don’t blow your fingers off with fireworks in your grandma’s backyard (gonna make gripping the 7 iron a little difficult).