Serves 6 1 x 1.7kg higher-welfare whole chicken 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary Olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 x 330ml can of your favourite beer Before you start, check if your barbecue lid fits over the chicken upright. If not, don’t worry, you can lay the bird out flat – you just need to decide which way you’re doing it before you prepare the chicken, then set the bird aside to come up to room temperature.

Meanwhile, set up your barbecue for the heat canyon technique: place the coals on opposite sides of the barbecue to make two heat walls – this will create sections of hot, direct heat on the sides, with an indirect, cooler area in the middle to ensure your meat gets consistent heat throughout the cook.

Place a drip tray inside the middle of the barbecue. Cover with the lid and allow to heat up like an outdoor oven – you want a temperature of around 175C/345F.

Pick the leaves from two rosemary sprigs and bash in a pestle and mortar with a drizzle of oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper, then rub all over the chicken. Make sure the beer is at room temperature, then pour out two-thirds of it (or drink it!) and insert the remaining rosemary sprigs into the can. Now for the tricky bit – use both hands to pull the chicken’s rear apart and carefully manoeuvre it on to the beer can. If you’re laying the chicken flat, make sure you position the can so the hole is at the top to prevent the beer from spilling out.

Place the bird upright on the middle of the barbecue, making sure the legs are pointing forward so it doesn’t topple over and cover with the lid. Cook for around one hour 30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through, remembering to replenish with hot coals halfway, if needed. To check if it’s ready, pierce a thigh with a knife – if the juices run clear, it’s done. Remove the bird to a board to rest for 10 minutes, then carve up and serve. Enjoy the juiciness.

Tip: Once the chicken is cooked and resting, put some sunglasses on her and upload the photos to Instagram – a bird sitting on a can of beer in glasses will definitely get you some likes.

Recipe from The BBQ Book by DJ BBQ.