Best Beer For Beer Can Chicken (2024)

Beer can chicken is more than just a fun way to cook; it’s a simple and foolproof method to get a juicy, tasty chicken every time. Just a can of beer and your grill or oven are all you need to make a chicken that’s deliciously moist on the inside with a perfect golden crust on the outside.

Whether you’ve made beer can chicken before or not …we’re here to help you get all the answers!

First we have the top beers for that juicy beer can chicken, alongside a no-fuss guide to cooking it right. There’s some key tricks and tips that will make this a smooth (and delicious!) experience.

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Many say the secret to the ultimate beer can chicken lies in the beer you pick. Truthfully, any beer can do the job. However, some beers stand out as better choices for beer can chicken, enhancing the flavor and juiciness of the bird more than others.

Here, we’ve compiled the top 5 beers perfect for beer can chicken. Plus, for craft beer enthusiasts, we’ve got some special picks just ahead!

The Top 5 Best Beers for Beer Can Chicken

1. Corona

Corona, with its light, refreshing taste and hint of citrus, is a popular choice that pairs effortlessly with the smoky and savory flavors of beer can chicken.

2. Heineken

Heineken, known for its crisp and slightly malty flavor, adds a subtle depth to beer can chicken, enhancing the dish with its smooth and balanced profile.

3. Stella Artois

Stella Artois, a Belgian lager, enhances beer can chicken with its floral aroma, well-balanced malt sweetness, crisp hop bitterness, and a soft, dry finish, adding a refined flavor profile to the dish.

4. Steam Whistle Pilsner (CANADA)

Steam Whistle Pilsner, with its pure, clean taste and a hint of grassy hops, complements beer can chicken by adding a refreshing lightness and a subtle complexity to the flavor.

Pilsner Urquell Lager (USA)

Pilsner Urquell, with its harmonious blend of hops and malt, offers a refreshing touch to beer can chicken, lending the dish a subtle sweetness and a crisp, clean finish.

5. Creemore Springs (CANADA)

Creemore Springs, celebrated for its slightly sweet and slightly bitter taste, enriches beer can chicken with its rich malty flavor, light nutty undertones, and hints of citrus, adding layers of complexity to the dish.

Yuengling Traditional Lager (USA)

America’s oldest brewery’s flagship beer, brings a balanced blend of rich caramel maltiness and a gentle hop character to beer can chicken, enhancing the dish with its classic and smooth flavor.

Craft Beers for Beer Can Chicken

For our craft beer enthusiasts we’ve selected some options that work well for beer can chicken that you can try!

In Canada:

• Four Winds Brewing Co. (British Columbia) – Elementary Lager
• Nickel Brook Brewing Co. (Burlington) – Nickel Brook Lager
• Caledon Hills Brewing Co. (Caledon) – Vienna Lager

In the USA

• Victory Brewing Company (Pennsylvania) – Prima Pils
• Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn) – Brooklyn Lager
• Sierra Nevada (California) – Summerfest Lager

Choosing the Best Beer

You’ll notice we stuck with lagers as the recommended choice. But that’s not to say you can’t use other beer types.

Go ahead and experiment with different beers (and even other beverages!). Here are some factors to consider when choosing a beer to use.

Type of Beer

As we mentioned, we favor lagers for their light, crisp, and mellow qualities. They steer clear of bitterness, which is crucial because we wouldn’t want the chicken’s delicate flavors to be overshadowed by a bitter aftertaste.

In general, it’s best to opt for a beer that complements and enhances the chicken without overpowering it, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors in every bite.

Wondering what beers to avoid?

Although nearly any beer can be used for beer can chicken, some selections might detract from the chicken’s flavor. It’s best to steer clear of the following beers, as they could negatively affect the taste of your dish:

• IPA’s or anything overly hoppy
• Very bitter beers
• Sour beers

Here are the characteristics of wach type of beer that you can consider when selecting beer for beer can chicken:

• Lager: Known for its crisp and clean taste, lager is fermented and conditioned at low temperatures, offering a smooth and refreshing finish.
• Ale: Characterized by its rich, full-bodied flavors and fruity undertones, ale is fermented at warmer temperatures, resulting in a complex taste profile.
• Stout: Stout is a dark, thick beer with roasted malt or barley, coffee, and chocolate notes, offering a rich and creamy experience.
• IPA (India Pale Ale): Famous for its strong hop bitterness, floral aroma, and citrusy flavors, IPAs are bold and aromatic.
• Pilsner: A type of lager that’s golden, light, and has a crisp, refreshing taste with a slightly bitter finish.
• Porter: Dark and robust, porter offers a blend of chocolate, caramel, and coffee flavors, with a slightly lighter body than stout.
• Wheat Beer: Made with a significant proportion of wheat, this beer is light and cloudy with a smooth texture and hints of spice and fruit.
• Sour Beer: Marked by its tart and tangy taste, sour beer comes in many variations and is often fruit-flavored, offering a unique drinking experience.

Flavour

We usually prefer beers that have fruity or citrus undertones, as they harmonize beautifully with chicken.

Conversely, beers that boast darker tones with hints of coffee, caramel, or chocolate are ideally suited for red meats such as beef.

Really it all comes down to personal preference. If you don;’t like a beer don’t use it for beer can chicken as it will impart the flavours you don’t like.

Alcohol Content

When it comes to beer can chicken, the alcohol content in the beer you choose isn’t a major concern, as most of it evaporates during the cooking process, leaving behind the flavors to infuse the meat.

Interestingly, the rise in popularity of non-alcoholic beers offers a versatile option for those looking to enjoy beer-infused dishes without the alcohol. These non-alcoholic varieties still provide the moisture and flavor enhancement that makes beer can chicken a favorite, ensuring everyone can enjoy this cooking method.

Is it safe to cook beer can chicken using an actual beer can?

Some folks worry that the heat from the grill could cause the ink or labeling on the can to release potentially harmful substances. There is also a thin lining of plastic on the inside.

If the thought of heating up the plastic and ink has you uneasy, you have a couple of alternatives.

One method is to empty the beer into a pan that’s safe for grilling and set it underneath the chicken. This way, the chicken still benefits from the beer’s steam without direct contact with the can.

For those who love making beer can chicken, investing in a roasting stand designed specifically for this purpose is another great solution. These stands allow you to enjoy your favorite dish without worrying about the safety of cooking with a beer can.

How To Cook Beer Can Chicken

1. Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
2. Set the Chicken and Beer Out: Take your chicken and the beer out of the refrigerator at least 30-60 minutes before cooking. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly. You can even gently warm the beer over low heat, but be careful not to cook it. This will help the beer evaporate better during cooking.
3. Prepare the Chicken: Remove any giblets from your chicken and pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely.
4. Seasoning: Rub the chicken with olive oil. Generously season the chicken inside and out with your choice of spices. Common seasoning mixes include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, but feel free to use your favorite blend.
5. Prepare the Beer Can: Open the beer can and drink about half of the beer. If you like, you can add additional spices to the beer can to infuse the chicken with extra flavor as it cooks.
6. Mounting the Chicken: Carefully place the chicken cavity over the beer can, so it sits upright, with the can acting as a stand. Ensure the legs are positioned forward to create a stable base.
7. Cooking: Place the chicken on the grill. Cook with the lid closed on the grill for about 1 hour without opening the lid. Check the chicken every 15 minutes after that. Remove when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (75°C).
8. Resting: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken and beer can from the grill (be cautious, as the beer inside the can will be very hot). Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before removing the can and carving. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring it’s moist and flavorful.
9. Serving: Carve the chicken as desired and serve. Enjoy the moist, flavorful meat that beer can cooking method provides!

This method not only yields a juicy and delicious chicken but also makes for an impressive presentation. Whether you’re using alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, the result will be a crowd-pleaser.

FAQs:

Can I use any type of beer for beer can chicken?

Yes, you can use any type of beer for beer can chicken, but lighter beers like lagers are recommended for their subtle flavour enhancements.

Is it necessary to use a whole can of beer?

No, it’s not necessary to use a whole can. Most recipes suggest using half a can of beer, which provides enough steam to flavour and moisten the chicken without wasting beer.

Can I make beer can chicken in the oven?

Absolutely! Beer can chicken can be cooked in the oven at 375°F (190°C) on a roasting pan. Just ensure your oven is tall enough to accommodate the standing chicken.

What can I do if I’m concerned about the safety of cooking with a beer can?

If you’re worried about the ink from the can, consider using a beer can chicken holder or pour the beer into a grill-safe pan and place it beneath the chicken to catch the drippings and provide moisture.

Can non-alcoholic beer be used for beer can chicken?

Yes, non-alcoholic beer works just as well for beer can chicken, offering a similar taste and moisture without the alcohol content. It’s a great option for those avoiding alcohol but still wanting to enjoy the flavour.

How long does it take to cook beer can chicken?

Cooking time varies depending on the size of your chicken and the consistency of your grill or oven temperature, but generally, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes at medium-high heat or 375°F (190°C) in the oven.

Can I season the beer for additional flavour?

Yes, feel free to add extra spices directly into the beer can to infuse the chicken with additional flavours as it cooks.