Instructions: Clean chicken well by removing giblets and rinsing inside and out with water. Place chicken in water to which 2 Tablespoons baking soda has been added. Rinse again well with cold water. Soak chicken several hours or overnight (refrigerated) in water to which 2 or 3 Tablespoons table salt has been added. Rinse and drain. Pat dry. Sprinkle chicken inside and out with salt and black pepper. Wash can of beer off with cold water. Punch 2 holes in it and set aside. Start grill with coals around, not in the center. Get piping hot. Place cavity of chicken over open beer can (in squatting position). Gently and carefully place this in center of grill.

Cover and cook until skin is tender and crispy. Baste chicken with lemon juice or vinegar and during the last 15 minutes of cooking with barbecue sauce of choice, mixed with honey or brown sugar, if desired.

Note: I have done this and see no real value in using the can of beer. It imparts very little flavor. To each his own, however.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.