BBQ Beer Can Chicken

Ingredients

2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 12-ounce can beer
1 3 1/2- to 4-pound whole broiler-fryer chicken
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 lemon wedge

Directions

1. For rub, in a small bowl combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, dry mustard, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder. Discard about half of the beer from the can. Add 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture to the half-empty can (beer will foam up).

2. Remove neck and giblets from chicken. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the rub inside the body cavity. Rub the outside of the chicken with butter and sprinkle with the remaining rub.

3. Hold the chicken upright with the opening of the body cavity at the bottom and lower it onto the beer can so the can fits into the cavity. Pull the chicken legs forward so the bird rests on its legs and the can. Twist wing tips behind back. Stuff the lemon quarter in the neck cavity to seal in steam.

4. For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Stand chicken upright on grill rack over drip pan. Cover and grill for 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink (180 degrees F in thigh muscle). If necessary, tent chicken with foil to prevent overbrowning. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. If necessary, remove upper grill racks so chicken will stand upright. Grill as above.) Remove chicken from grill, holding by the can. Cover with foil; let stand for 10 minutes. Use a hot pad to grasp can and heavy tongs to carefully remove the chicken.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories 635,
Total Fat (g) 45,
Saturated Fat (g) 15,
Cholesterol (mg) 217,
Sodium (mg) 1180,
Carbohydrate (g) 3,
Fiber (g) 0,
Protein (g) 51,
Vitamin C (DV%) 6,
Calcium (DV%) 4,
Iron (DV%) 14,
Medium-fat Meat (d.e.) 7,
Fat (d.e.) 2,
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet