Slammin' Sam Beer is a smooth, refreshing homage

After a promising start to the golf season, my game has gone straight to the dogs. And not nice dogs, either – junkyard dogs, with rabies.

How many times can I start out 5 over after three holes?

That was a rhetorical question. I already know the answer: Every damn time I play.

Sigh…

The only redeeming grace is that, after another horrific start, I figure it won’t hurt to crack open a beer. Next thing you know, I’ve parred the next four holes and am on my way to another round of bogey golf.

The lesson I’ve taken away from this sad, sorry state of affairs is that I need to have a beer BEFORE my round even begins.

Recently I received a sample of a new brew called Slammin’ Sam Beer. Brewed in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, by the regionally famous Stevens Point Brewery, Slammin’ Sam is billed as “The Smoothest Beer in Golf,” its inspired by Sam Snead, one of the legendary American Triumvirate, who was blessed with what was generally considered the smoothest swing in the game.

In addition to having been available at The Greenbrier since July 2, Slammin’ Sam can now be found at The Homestead and Sam Snead’s Tavern in Hot Springs, VA, and Pinehurst, NC.

After yet another abysmal start the other night at Men’s League, I popped open one of my sample cans and shared it with Mayor of The Lake and beer connoisseur, Karl W. Newton, Jr.

We both agreed that the brew is indeed as smooth as promised – light, refreshing, clean. After the first couple of swigs, though, we looked at one another and The Mayor voiced what I’d been thinking:

“It’s smooth, but was waiting for the finish, but there wasn’t any more. I sort of wondered, ‘What next?’”

For beer enthusiasts who crave a hoppy IPA or a robust stout, Slammin’ Sam might not quite satisfy. But on a hot day, or during lackluster play, it hits the spot like old Sam himself used to hit the sweetspot every swing.

Importantly for me, it also seemed to help my game – after a couple beers, it became harder to say “Slammin’ Sam,” but the pars became more frequent and the double-bogeys less so, and I limped and wove around the course to yet another bogey finish.

I guess I should sign up for some lessons…or AA…