# Will I like beer can chicken if I don't like beer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [January 19, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540 "2005-01-19T15:00:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/41 "2015-05-27T17:17:59Z")
I know it’s a zombie, but I honestly have not noticed the liquid used imparting any flavors to the chicken itself. To me, it’s just getting the chicken off the grate and relatively eating all around, and the evaporating liquid to heat the interior. Water works just as well in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/42 "2015-05-27T17:25:03Z")
I like to use a pineapple and cook the chicken beer can style. Just trim down the pineapple until it fits inside the chicken (leaving the base alone so it can act as a stand) and stick on the grill. As a bonus you can use the trimmings from the pineapple to make a pineapple salsa to have with the chicken. As a note: unlike with the beer there is a slight flavouring of pineapple in the finished chicken. ---
**Author:** ![Dobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dobbs)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/43 "2015-05-27T19:57:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I know it’s a zombie, but I honestly have not noticed the liquid used imparting any flavors to the chicken itself. To me, it’s just getting the chicken off the grate and relatively eating all around, and the evaporating liquid to heat the interior. Water works just as well in my experience. Cooking For Engineers agrees with you > **[Beer Can Chicken - Cooking Tests - Cooking For Engineers](https://www.cookingforengineers.com/article/171/Beer-Can-Chicken)** > > Cooking and taste tests: Beer Can Chicken ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/44 "2015-05-27T20:36:25Z")
> [@Dobbs](#): > > Cooking For Engineers agrees with you > > [Beer Can Chicken - Cooking Tests - Cooking For Engineers](http://www.cookingforengineers.com/article/171/Beer-Can-Chicken) It’s interesting, though, as the comments seem to disagree with the engineer’s assertion. I could see the beer flavoring maybe part of the breast that is closest to the inside cavity, but I can’t really see it flavoring anything else. Like I said, in my experience, I didn’t notice any difference, and I used a stronger beer, heavier beer (which is what the comments say to use.) Personally, I find a properly, normally grilled chicken as good, if not better, as it’s easier to maneuver during grilling if necessary than something with a big hot can of beer in its bum. But grilling and barbecue is made for these sorts of debates and arguments. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/45 "2015-05-27T21:33:54Z")
You can also use a can of hard cider, it puts a really a nice flavour in the chicken, especially with rosemary and thyme sprigs… And it’s beer butt chicken! Rude,crude and delicious! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/46 "2015-05-27T21:54:28Z")
Pabst Ass Fowl perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/47 "2015-05-27T22:46:19Z")
> **[Beer Can Chicken Recipe: There Are Better Ways To Cook Chicken](https://amazingribs.com/bbq-techniques-and-science/beer-can-chicken/)** > > Beer Can Chicken is not a good way to cook chicken. Here's why, and how you can make better roast chicken. Meathead also agrees. Beer can chicken is a waste of a beer and potentially dangerous too. Vertical roasters are cheap. Get one that promotes air flow. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/48 "2015-05-28T00:59:59Z")
The zombieness explains why I didn’t recognize any of the names. But since we’re here: would this be a bad idea wit a beer can with a widget? I imagine the plastic will do badly on the grill. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/49 "2015-05-28T01:10:04Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > [Beer Can Chicken Recipe: There Are Better Ways To Cook Chicken](http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/debunking_beer_can_chicken.html) > > Meathead also agrees. Beer can chicken is a waste of a beer and potentially dangerous too. Vertical roasters are cheap. Get one that promotes air flow. Thanks for that. Excellent information. I have in fact tried this once and the chicken turned out great. I guess it would have turned out great regardless of the beer can. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/50 "2015-05-28T01:31:47Z")
Woa, blast from the past. I did remember starting this thread, and it’s already been TEN YEARS! Gosh. And I still hate beer. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/51 "2015-05-28T04:17:10Z")
Beer contains glutimates, and if you like that flavour (as most people do), used in moderation it will make almost anything taste better. But since that’s the same flavor as chicken stock cubes, I wouldn’t think it would make much difference to chicken. I’m thinking that the “water will work just as well” people are probably right. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/52 "2015-05-28T14:15:33Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > you just cant find szechuan pepper any more=(] Whuh? Go to an Asian market- you can buy them in huge quantities for nothing. Or, you can go somewhere like Penzeys and get 3/4 cup for like $9. The govt. stopped the ban in 2005, so they’re pretty common now. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/53 "2015-05-28T14:22:16Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Woa, blast from the past. I did remember starting this thread, and it’s already been TEN YEARS! > > Gosh. > > And I still hate beer. Some people are _hopeless._ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540/54 "2015-05-28T14:23:21Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Whuh? Go to an Asian market- you can buy them in huge quantities for nothing. Or, you can go somewhere like Penzeys and get 3/4 cup for like $9. > > The govt. stopped the ban in 2005, so they’re pretty common now. Not in Jan. 2005 when the post was made. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-like-beer-can-chicken-if-i-dont-like-beer/285540.md?page=2)