BBQing with beer is often talked about as a way to add flavour and keep the meat moist while it’s on the grill. But does it actually work? BBQing with beer has been a tried and tested method for years, and it seems to be gaining popularity. So, can you actually BBQ with beer?
You absolutely can BBQ with beer! t can create a wonderful flavour profile due to the caramelisation of the sugars in the beer. This can be achieved by marinating, spritzing, basting, or even putting a can of beer inside a chicken while cooking!
Read on to find out more about BBQing with beer, why people do it, how to do it, and what beer to use.
Jump to section:
- Why Do People BBQ With Beer?
- How Do You Use Beer on a BBQ?
- What Beer To Use for a BBQ?
- What Does Beer Do to Chicken When BBQing?
- World-class BBQ Meats from Tom Hixson
Why Do People BBQ With Beer?
The theory behind BBQing with beer is based on the idea of caramelisation. Caramelisation is a non-enzymatic reaction that browns foods that are high in sugar. Because beer is almost always made from some form of grain, such as barley, it contains a high sugar content and therefore can be caramelised on the BBQ.Through this process, the beer creates a harmonious flavour combination that compliments the flavours of the meat, while adding an extra tang that you find in something like BBQ sauce.
Stuart Mathwig, BBQ content creator @Artustbbq, former BBQ World Championship competitor and 3x World Steak Challenge judge who works closely with Tom Hixson gave us his opinion on the topic:
“BBQ'ing with beer can always be fun. Why not use it as a spritz to spray down your meats on the grill for another layer of flavour.”
How Do You Use Beer on a BBQ?
There are a couple of factors to consider when using beer on the BBQ for the first time. These include the heat of the BBQ and how you apply beer to the food.
What Temperature Should You Cook Beer At?
Considering the temperature at which sugar caramelises is important for getting the right heat for your beer. Different sugars need a different temperature to caramelise, meaning that if your BBQ doesn’t reach these temperatures, the beer won’t have any effect.
Here are the temperatures that each type of sugar requires:
|
Sugar Type |
Fructose |
Galactose |
Glucose |
Lactose |
Sucrose |
|
Temperature |
110°C, 230°F | 160°C, 320°F | 160°C, 320°F | 203°C, 397°F | 160°C, 320°F |
Because around 80% of the sugar in beer is maltose, which is made up of two glucose molecules, you’ll want to heat your BBQ to at least 160°C (320°F) to start the caramelisation process.
How To Add Beer To Your Food
There are a variety of weird and wonderful techniques that you can use for adding your beer to the food, from placing a beer can inside a whole chicken (discussed further down the blog), to creating a marinade from the beer.Here are our top 3 ways to add beer to your BBQ food:
Marinating BBQ With Beer
Our personal favourite, marinating lets the meat sit in a sauce for 12-24 hours before dropping onto the BBQ. This allows the beer’s flavour and sugars to soak into the meat, and it acts as a very light acid that softens the tissue in the meat to let water in and make it extra juicy.Add a drizzle of olive oil to a small can of beer, some aromatics like rosemary, and include a pinch of salt before mixing. We also love to add some mild chillies for a bit of a kick. Place the meat in a resealable plastic bag and pour the mixture in before letting it sit in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
If your beer mixture doesn’t reach the top of the meat, make sure to flip it over every few hours. Then it’s ready for the BBQ!
BBQ Beer Spray Bottle
If you’re looking for something low-maintenance, try simply putting your chosen beer in a spray bottle and giving each piece of meat a generous spritz as you place it on the BBQ.If your meat starts to look dry before it’s finished cooking, you can also spray this on while it’s cooking to moisten things up a bit.
BBQ Beer Mop
Similarly to the spray bottle, you can create a BBQ beer mop that you can lather onto the meat as it cooks. The benefit of this technique is that you can add much more flavour through seasoning.BBQ beer mop recipe:
- 150ml beer
- 100ml olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp parsley
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh garlic - finely chopped
- 1 tsp coriander (cilantro)
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
- Chilli flakes to taste if you like it spicy!
What Beer To Use for a BBQ?
Generally, light beers contain less sugar than regular beer, so you’ll want to keep those in the fridge. Aside from this, there’s no limit to the beer that you can choose. Some of our favourites include:- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Black Sheep Milk Stout
- VB Victoria Bitter
- Hitachino Nest White Ale - this one is already flavoured with coriander, which works amazingly well!
You may want to look at it in terms of sugar content. An American lager has much less sugar content than that of a stout, but the flavour will be much different. Try experimenting with flavour by using pale ales, lagers, and even milk stouts.
What Does Beer Do to Chicken When BBQing?
One of the most famous techniques for BBQing chicken with beer is the beer can chicken BBQ technique. This technique involves placing a half-full can of beer inside a whole chicken before placing the whole thing upright on the BBQ. While this technique is a bit wacky, using beer to BBQ chicken on a whole is a great idea.
When placed on the outside of the chicken while cooking, it helps to dry roast with the added sugars while also adding extra flavour. When placed inside the chicken in a beer can, the beer creates a steamy heat that keeps the inside extremely moist.
If you’re struggling to keep meats moist on the BBQ, read our guide on How To Keep Meat From Drying Out on a BBQ.
World-class BBQ Meats from Tom Hixson
At Tom Hixson, we supply the best meats from around the world, with multiple world-championship-winning steaks and joints included in our vast selection. From Wagyu Burgers to the four-time World Steak Challenge award-winning Sashi Choco Sirloin, we have everything you could need for the perfect BBQ.Take a look at our range on our website, or get in touch for help with choosing the perfect meat for any occasion.
