I did beer can chicken on my kettle. The top of the chicken hit the lid of the kettle, until I really pushed the chicken onto the poultry holder. I asked Weber if there was an aftermarket item that I could use to deal with this problem. Customer service mentioned the rotisserie add-on for the kettle, using the part that the rotisserie rests on to add additional height. I'm not spending that kind of money on a convenience.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I also asked Weber if I could place the chicken on the charcoal grate between the charcoal baskets. Customer service didn't answer that part of the question.
Confused... Did you use a beer can? Or a vertical roaster. Post is for beer can chicken but you said "pushed chicken onto poultry holder". Does this debate apply to vertical roaster too? I used a vertical roaster and the chicken was touching the top. I used apple cider. I don't think I could taste it over all the other stuff I put on and under the skin. The bird came out moist and friggin awesome tho.
I use the term "beer can chicken" generically. I used the poultry roaster from Weber. I used Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. I can tell you that so far I haven't noticed any difference in flavor or juiciness of the chicken when using different liquids. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the beer, and more to do with standing the chicken upright.
I haven't done a blind test. I've done chicken on the roti, quarters, parts, dry rub, wet rub. All I can tell you is that we've gotten the best (so far) results with "beer can chicken." I defer, however, to those more knowledgeable than I, on these matters as to the technical accuracy of the method. Maybe, to the trained palate, there isn't a difference; but, my untrained palate likes beer can chicken.