Beer Can Chicken

Grilling and chicken just seem to scream summer, don't you think? I've seen people grilling beer can chicken on TV for quite a while now, but have never tried it. So, Bill and I decided to experiment. The first time we simple used a beer can in the chicken cavity and stood the chicken upright on the grill. We had a terrible time with flame ups. The outside of the chicken was done well before the inside leaving us with not quite the desired chicken. So, Bill researched on-line and discovered this nice stand, we found using the stand worked much better. This stand is designed to catch the chicken juices and hold the chicken upright.

To begin you simple pour beer in the center can (guess I get to drink what was left in the bottle...hehehe) and place it in the holder on the rack.

You will need a whole chicken, ours was around 5 lbs. (Make sure to remove the gizzards and neck for the chicken's cavity before beginning.) To prepare the chicken, begin by sprinkling the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper, then cover the outside chicken with the dry rub of your choice. I make my own, but you can find several different flavors pre-made in the grocery store. I let the chicken rest in the fridge for about a half an hour after I applied the dry rub. After the chicken rested, place the chicken over the stand with the center cylinder filling the chicken cavity.

Now you are ready to grill. Start your grill a head time so that it can come up to temperature. Once the grill is hot, place the chicken and stand on the grill, lower the cover down on the grill and cook for 1 1/2 hour on in-direct heat (only have your grill going on one side, if you are using charcoal - place the coals on one side and the chicken on the other). Your chicken is done when your meat thermometer reads over 160 degrees (make sure to check both sides of the chicken).

And now, we are ready for dinner. One note, either place the chicken in the center of the grill, or turn half way through cooking. The chicken meat was moist with wonderful, crispy skin.