Cooking with Athletic: Beer Can Birds and Beer Brownies
When I set the challenge for myself earlier in the year to come up with a 3 course meal using Athletic Beer, the obvious starter was chili since it’s a staple recipe of mine that I occasionally add beer to, but brainstorming a main dish and dessert took a little more creativity. I wanted something unique yet simple for the main dish and a variation from my usual dessert which is typically borne out of a box. While these recipes were developed and tested in late summer, the upcoming holiday season is the perfect time to test out a fun twist on some classics — with your household or small pod, no large holiday gatherings please!
First up: Main Course
For the main dish, I had an idea that stemmed from a childhood memory: my best friend’s family used to make Coca Cola can chicken on special occasions. And since Athletic is non-alcoholic swapping in a a beer seemed liked the perfect option and is just as kid friendly. I used a seasonal Hometown Harvest which would be perfect for Thanksgiving as would something crisp and dynamic like the Aftershift IPA, but honestly you can’t go wrong with any variety here.
This recipe seems perfectly in time for the holidays - maybe try with a small turkey for Thanksgiving, or just forgo turkey altogether (which feels very 2020) and cook a chicken instead. I cooked mine on the grill because I had access to one and why not, but it would be just as doable in an oven with the middle rack removed. There do exist specific products for this soda/beer can chicken but that seems like a waste of space and most likely money so I fashioned a holder out of some tin foil on top of a pan (in my case a grill pan but a casserole or roasting pan would work for the oven).
Raw chicken is pretty unappealing to handle and doesn’t photograph any better, but we promise the end results are juicy and delicious and make a great post ride meal.
Sweet Spot: Brownies
Last but not least is dessert. Don’t worry if you are full by now, dessert takes up a different slot in your stomach (it’s a proven theory, just trust me). Brownies are my favorite but I admit my go-to comes from a man named Duncan Hines. I was willing to branch out for the sake of testing out a homemade recipe that I could add some Athletic beer.
The obvious brew choice was the limited edition Smooth Ascent coffee stout but I think any stout or dark beer would be great, like the All Out. One of the fruity Gose beers might even be interesting to try to add some fruit flavor into the brownies. The coffee stout definitely added a nice complex nuttiness. The group I blind taste tested this recipe with had no idea there was beer in the brownies and RAVED about them. When I mentioned what made them unique they were pretty floored by the secret ingredient. So have this one in your back pocket to bring to a dinner party or pot luck (socially distanced of course for now, please!)
I am not much of a recipe person, but I am told in baking it’s important to follow the rules so you should probably do that.
The RecipeS
Clean and prepare the bird
Season with salt and your choice of additional flavor - some good options include garlic, lemon, pepper, paprika, cajun seasoning. Always make sure to use a fair amount of salt to get nice crispy skin on the outside.
Open a can of beer and drink half (really) - we recommend The Athletic Upside Dawn or something seasonal
Gently place the bird on top of the half full beer can through the open cavity (you may need a helper for this part)
Place the bird atop can into your dish or pan - specific products are made for this beer can chicken purpose but some tin foil and a little creative molding will do the trick in a pinch and for a lot less money
If using a grill: place on indirect heat and close the grill to cook for at least an hour depending on size and until the chicken reaches a safe to eat temperature
If using an oven: bake at 350 for about an hour and 15 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe temperature to eat
You should probably consult a guide for length of cook time and use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat is the proper temperature before you remove from heat. We are very amateur cooks who use lots of google advice
Let cool slightly and carefully remove the bird from the can (which will be hot) and carve as normal
Eat with brownies!
Heat oven to 350 degrees, grease pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper
Melt chocolate and butter - microwave in a 15-second interval and stir until fully melted and smooth
Whisk in the sugars until combined
Stir in beer and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes
Separately, stir together flour, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl
Add three eggs and vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture. Whisk just until just combined. Add the remaining eggs and whisk until combined. Do not overmix to avoid cakey brownies.
Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until just combined. Do NOT overmix.
Pour the brownie mixture into the parchment paper-lined pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick test comes out just a tad gooey but no raw dough on the stick. A little underdone is better than dry in my opinion.
Allow to cool so the fudgy center can set and then cut
Top with powdered sugar if you want to look fancy (or cover up blemishes) like I did
Eat them all