Ingredients
Brine and Chicken
2 cups water
1/4 cup kosher (coarse) salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 cans or bottles (12 oz each) beer or nonalcoholic beer, chilled
2 cut-up whole chickens (3 to 3 1/2 lb each)
Barbecue Rub
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Preparations
1 In 6- to 8-quart noncorrosive (stainless steel, enamel-coated, or plastic) container or stockpot, mix water, kosher salt, and brown sugar, stirring until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in beer. Add chicken. Cover; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
2 Line 15x10-inch pan with sides with foil. Remove chicken from brine; rinse thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine. Place chicken in pan. Refrigerate uncovered for 1 hour to dry chicken skin. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix all rub ingredients except oil; set aside.
3 Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect cooking. Brush oil over chicken; sprinkle rub mixture over chicken. For a two-burner gas grill, heat one burner to medium; place chicken on the unheated side. For a one-burner gas grill, place chicken on the grill over low heat. For a charcoal grill, move medium coals to the edge of the firebox; place chicken over the drip pan. Cover grill; cook 15 minutes.
4 Turn chicken over; cover grill and cook 20 to 30 minutes longer, turning occasionally, until juice of chicken is clear when the thickest piece is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks).
