Beer in the Rear Chicken
Just in time for Father’s Day this year I’m rolling out this recipe! It’s a crowd pleaser & conversation starter. You will impress the grilling crowd with this one.
If you’re from the South more than likely you’ve heard of beer can chicken. In my family it’s been dubbed as “beer in the rear” chicken (not by me of course) but, alas, that’s what it’s called. Regardless of what you call it it’s a juicy hot delicious mess! They even make a contraption or apparatus, if you will, to actually hold your beer can. I’m not kidding (check out the pic below.) There are quite a few of these contraptions on the market, check out this beer can chicken roaster.
Surprisingly it doesn’t taste like beer. Thank goodness, because I’m not a beer fan. Tried as I did in college I could never acquire the taste. But a wine bottle just won’t work in this situation, so beer it is LOL.
You (or your hubs in my case) drink half of the beer, then put the remaining half into the contraption and insert your seasoned chicken on top. If you don’t have this special piece of high tech equipment - haha- you can carefully set the chicken onto a grill tray & keep an eye on it. The beer evaporates and infuses the chicken making it moist & oh so juicy. The spice rub is hubs concoction and is ah-mazing.
If you’re worried about using beer, I have heard of people using Coca-Cola (being from Georgia I’m a Coke girl). I haven’t tried it myself so if you do, let me know what you think! So fire up your grill & give this one a go!
If you like roasted chickens you might also check out my Herb Roasted Chicken, Lime Chicken, Orange Chicken!
What you’ll need:
1 whole roasting chicken - large enough for your family
1 half can of beer of your choice (you can drink the other half, I won’t tell)
1/4 cup brown sugar
palmful of paprika
big pinch of dried minced garlic
big pinch of dried onion powder
s/p to taste
canola oil/vegetable oil
What to do:
Fire up your grill to a medium heat! While grill is heating, take your roasting chicken and rinse out the cavity well. Pat dry & set aside. In a bowl combine all of your spices to make your rub. Place your beer can (half full) into the beer can holder. Season the cavity of the chicken with your rub & then place the chicken on top of the beer can holder. Brush the chicken with oil to coat well. Take your spice rub & massage in into the bird. Be sure to cover all of it’s skin. Place your seasoned chicken in the middle of your grill over indirect heat. Turning chicken occasionally. Cook until juices run clear (about an hour to an hour & 15 minutes depending on the size of your bird). Allow chicken to cool slightly before removing from holder. Discard the beer can. Allow your chicken to rest for about 15 minutes prior to digging into it!
Would go great with:
Coleslaw or Potato Salad!
Buon Appetito!
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Sounds delicious. Looks disturbing, but I could get over that
Marvellous! I love beer butt chicken and how handy is that contraption to keep it upright!
I just saw Paula Dean doing this very same thing. Great idea for Father’s day for sure!
Ciao Michelle! Sto ridendo. Lo so, e’ vero! But it really is delicious.
Hi Lorraine! I must admit the first time hubs did this chicken I was VERY skeptical as I’m not a beer fan & it’s not the pretty roasted chicken I’m used to, but that said in the end is was a juicy moist plate of deliciousness!
Hi Rachel! Although hubs loves all my other roasted chickens this one is probably his fav (maybe bc he came up with the spice rub
I just love that Paula Deen. She’s a hoot!
I’ve never seen anything similar. It’s hilarious. I’ll have to suggest my husband to make this next time we grill.
Hi Dajana! I know, it’s pretty funny. Looks like she’s standing there all proud & ready to be eaten
I’m glad you’re going to give it a go! Let me know how you like it!
Paula, that is my very favorite way to BBQ chicken. LOVE how it turns out so brown outside and tender & moist inside. Delicious!
Ciao Deb! It really is incredibly moist! I’m glad you love it too!
Your recipe looks great, I have one for a beer can turkey, but haven’t taken the time to post it yet. Your website looks great too!
Thanks Angie! It’s really a crowd pleaser. I’ve not tried it with turkey. I’m sure it’s equally delicious. I’ll actually have a small one in the freezer. Will have to try that out!
I made this too and it’s really delicious. I didn’t know they sell the apparatus to hold it!
Hi Ann! Glad you liked the chicken as well! Oh yes, they have a grilling accessory for everything these days LOL! It does come in very handy!
Your chicken looks great! For some reason, we’ve had all kinds of problems in the past when trying to grill beer can chickens. It is a fun technique though!
Thanks Lisa! It is really fun. Those who haven’t seen it before are always amazed. I’m sorry you’ve had problems. Were you grilling with the can holder?
i’ve heard for this chicken for years but have yet to try it. Maybe this will be the summer. Have you tried doing more than one chicken at a time? When all the kids come to dinner one chicken just ain’t gonna fly. (pun intended).
hehehehe this one always cracks me up for some reason and not going to lie I somewhat teared up when I saw schlitz beer can. Good memories of that beer.
I also like to throw some peppercorns, garlic, rosemary, and other aromatics in the beer can too. Don’t know if it does any good but I figured it can’t do any harm.
Hi Karen! You know I’ve not grilled more than one at once but I immagine you would be able to (depending on the size of your grill) I hope you give it a try! We are a family of 5 & I’m sure as the kids continue to grow we’re going to need more than one bird @ at time as well
Hi Jeff! It’s quite funny to me as wel What a great idea to put aromatics in the can! We’ll have to put some in next time around. I have a yardfull of rosemary & I’m never out of gah-lic!