This is a list of the best beers to pair up or add as an ingredient to a dish known as “drunken chicken”, or more commonly known as “beer can chicken”. What exactly is drunken chicken? It is a type of barbecued chicken dish where a partially-filled opened can of beer is stuffed in the raw chicken’s cavity before cooking, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat once the cooking process is done. The beers on the list are perfect for consuming alongside drunken chicken, or using as an ingredient in barbecuing drunken chicken.
To create this list, we sought after the help of some barbecue or grill experts, people who enjoy barbecuing chicken (or even other poultry), as well as brewery owners and workers. These beers are all packed with delicious flavors, and will definitely enhance the quality of your drunken chicken – Making it a sumptuous meal for you and everyone at the table. So with that being said, let’s head on over to the first brand.
What Type of Beers Are Better for Drunken Chicken?
- Budweiser Lager
This is the all-American classic beer, the Budweiser lager. It’s bold and crisp, not to mention flavored with the best kind of hops, barley, yeast, and malt – All ingredients for a standard lager beer with a smooth finish. The same beverage is also brewed with the aid of verdant rice, all of which have been graded, milled, and polished for a fine beverage.
- EVO Two Beers IPA
This beverage has notes of peachy stone fruit, citrus, as well as wood, coconut, and lemongrass. Use this beer if you want your drunken chicken to have a delicious, herby Thai-inspired flavor in the end. When drinking the beverage by itself, however, you’ll notice that the taste is quite pleasant and distinct as well. Other ingredients include several hops based from Yakima Valley.
- Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout
This is a full-bodied stout that provides your chicken with an intense coffee flavor, as well as a strong hop presence. This is the right beer to use if you want your drunken chicken to have a smoky taste, like it’s been on the grill for a while. Other notes that you’ll taste while drinking the beverage include dark chocolate, licorice, and malt.
- Murphy’s Imported Stout
Also dark in color, with a medium body. Giving this to drunken chicken has the same effect as the Bell’s Stout, but with a sweeter aftertaste to the chicken meat. Meanwhile, other flavors include toffee and even a hint of caramel. This stout is different from other more popular brands as it doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste, and has a creamy finish.
- Four Peaks Peach Ale
Grown from Arizona’s peach farms, this product has an enticing and very crisp flavor, with a sweetness that’s perfect for drunken chicken meat. It’s best enjoyed both in the mornings and evenings, with a refreshing fruit taste and no bitterness at all. Aside from drunken chicken, you can pair this delicious beer with sweeter desserts such as fruit tarts and sweet sandwiches with marmalade in them.
- CBC South West Sour
A year-round favorite, this product includes pale wheat malts that results in a light beer with a hint of sweetness to it. The good bacteria in the yeast works all day to provide this beverage with its signature taste, providing an additional hint of fruitiness while you drink. Meanwhile, it’s not as bitter as the other beers on the list, and this keeps the product refreshing and light.
- Pilsner Uruquell
This beverage has a wonderful golden color with some clarity to it. It’s also a literal game-changer when it comes to pilsner beers, as this set the standard with what the type of beer should look and taste like. A Czech brand, this beverage has been in production for more than 100 years, and has had a loyal following from longtime drinkers.
- Miller Lite
It’s a classic lite lager beer that is smooth, refreshing, and light – Hence the name. The malt character of the beverage is quite solid, however, despite its name. This is the best kind of beer to chug down while at a barbecue party, which is the reason why it works so well with drunken chicken. Aside from that particular dish, it’s also nice with grilled seafood, hamburgers, and skewered meats like kebabs.
What Beers to Avoid for Drunken Chicken?
- Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
A strong-tasting imperial stout with hints of chocolate in it, along with whiskey – Not really surprising, as it’s a Kentucky-based beverage, after all. It’s a full-bodied and silky beverage, while the sweet flavors might not be appropriate for something heavy on the stomach like drunken chicken. However, it’s fine to drink the beverage on its own, while paired with other food.
- Gosser Natural Lemon Beer Radler
Another citrusy beverage, which is a bit too tangy to be paired up with something heavy like drunken chicken. It’s a Radler beer that is meant to be enjoyed by all of your five senses – From the color of the beverage, to the taste, scent, and even the feel of the bottle. It’s a good combination of beer and refreshing lemonade.
FAQ About the Best Beers for Drunken Chicken
Is There a Non-Alcoholic Version of Drunken Chicken?
For a kid-friendly version of this dish, you can use a carbonated beverage like root beer or even soda as a replacement. Another good option is a non-alcoholic beer – It’ll give your dish the same flavor and texture, but without the buzz in the end. Whatever carbonated beverage you use, the final product will still surely be a hit.
Wrapping up the Best Beers for Drunken Chicken
You can’t go wrong with the classic Budweiser Lager as the best beer for drunken chicken. In fact, it’s the go-to beer when seasoned grilling or barbecuing experts feel like making this classic barbecued chicken dish – It’s a beverage that is certain to infuse tasty flavors into the dish. And now, it’s time for you to give this beer a try as well.
David is a well-known news writer, investigative journalist, and author, featured on CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News. His work focuses on truth and justice, tackling societal issues directly. Through clear investigations and compelling storytelling, he challenges the norms of journalism.