RICHMOND—Poultry has become the most-consumed livestock commodity in the world over the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Virginia is contributing to that global demand, as broiler chickens remain the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity.

The Virginia Poultry Federation reports that Virginia farmers raised 284.5 million broiler chickens that yielded 1.8 billion pounds of meat in 2021, ranking ninth in national production. This sector supports about 38,000 total jobs in the commonwealth.

With an abundance of protein come creative methods of preparation, like beer can grilling.

“Beer can chicken has long been one of the most popular methods of grilling poultry, but we noticed a lack of consensus on what type of beer is best,” said Julie Lehman, PERDUE® Chicken vice president of marketing.

New York City-based Torch & Crown Brewing Company recently partnered with PERDUE® to create Beer Can Chicken Beer, a honey double-citrus summer ale brewed with grilled chicken seasonings like rosemary, thyme and pink peppercorn.

To make your own beer can chicken, PERDUE® recommends heating an outdoor grill to 350°. Discard the giblets and neck from a whole chicken, then drain it, pat it dry, and lightly rub the chicken with oil. Sprinkle a seasoning rub into the top cavity, and pat the seasoning onto the outside of the bird.

Pour a can of beer into a food-safe grilling stand. Lower the chicken onto the stand so the chicken is sitting upright. Cook over medium heat until the internal temperature reads 170°, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Carefully remove the chicken from the beer stand using tongs, and cover it with foil for 10 minutes before carving. Discard the remaining beer.

For more beer can chicken recipes, visit perdue.com/beercanchicken.

Virginia's poultry industry provides a direct economic impact of $5.8 billion and overall contributes $13.6 billion in economic activity on more than 1,100 family-owned farms statewide, said Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“And chicken consumption is expected to continue rising,” he said. “U.S. annual per capita chicken consumption is around 95 pounds, about 65% greater than the next most-consumed protein—beef. By 2029, chicken consumption is expected to exceed 96 pounds.”

To meet rising demand, several countries increased domestic poultry production, according to USDA. The U.S., the European Union and Thailand have emerged as major poultry exporters, with Brazil projected to remain No. 1 through 2031.

Media: Contact Lehman at 410-543-3000 or Banks at 804-290-1114.