Two recipes for you to use, one from the contender and one from the winner at the Fall Home and Garden Expo.

From the winner, the expert Chef Rocky Rocha at the magnolia Hotel:

Beer Can Chicken

1 – Whole Chicken 3 to 5 lbs
1/2 can – Budweiser
1oz – paprika
1oz – chili powder
1oz – kosher salt
4 tsp – cumin
4 tsp – sugar
2 tsp – dry mustard
2 tsp – black pepper
2 tsp – dried thyme
2 tsp – dried oregano
2 tsp – curry powder
1oz – Montréal steak seasoning

Poke holes around the sides of the top half of the beer can. Mix all the spices together in a bowl. Put a little bit of the seasoning in the beer can and rub down the chicken with the rest, make sure to season the inside of the chicken. Set the chicken on the beer can so that it looks like the chicken is sitting down. Place on a sheet pan and roast in the oven (do not cover) at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the chicken temps at 160 degrees.

And from the contender, also a very yummy recipe . . .

One Drunken Beer Can Chicken

1 Whole Chicken
3 Beers (one for me and two for the chicken, sometimes more depending on the day)
1 shot of tequila (more if you care for some)
5 Cloves of garlic
1 large onion
1 lemon
paprika
cumin
oregano
salt
pepper
Olive oil

Let the chicken marinate in a zip lock baggie with 1 beer, shot of tequila, 1/2 lemon squeeze and throw in the peels, 3 cloves crushed garlic, 1/2 sliced onion, salt and pepper to taste. Shake make sure chicken is drunk.
Marinate all day or overnight
Remove Chicken from baggie, discard marinade
place slivers of remaining garlic and onion under skin
coat with olive oil
squeeze rest of lemon all over and inside the chicken
Lightly sprinkle paprika, oregano and cumin all over and inside chicken
Salt and pepper outside and inside
Drink one quarter of the beer first then place the Chicken on top of the beer can
Place a little garlic and onion top cavity of chicken
Place on indirect Grill for 45 to 60 min cooking at 325 to 350 degrees
Until nice and tanned golden brown

You can serve with drunken white rice, substitute water for combo of chicken stock and light beer

Enjoy with Friends and plenty of brewskies

Maggie Hallowell