Barbecue without beer is, well, too depressing to contemplate, and I'm not just talking about to drink. Beer's malty sweetness and pleasantly bitter edge of hops make for an interesting marinade. These Calgary Hot Wings were inspired by the Big Rock Brewery, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I taught a memorable cooking class at Big Rock—memorable not only for the impressive assortment of interesting beers on tap but also for the fact that it snowed 3 inches during my outdoor class, a first for this Miami-based grill guy.
•Big Rock Grill chef Klaus Wöckinger uses a wheat ale called Grasshopper. If you live in many parts of Canada, California, or the Northwest you'll probably be able to find Big Rock Grasshopper. Otherwise, use an imported or domestic wheat beer like Capital Brewery's Weizen Doppelbock or Celis White.
•Sriracha is a sweet Thai hot sauce—think turbocharged ketchup, rather than tongue-blistering hot sauce. If you'd like sweeter wings, you can use sweet Thai chile sauce.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 12
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
1. Rinse the chicken wings under cold running water and blot them dry with paper towels. Cut the tips off the wings and discard them. Cut each wing into 2 pieces through the joint. Place the wings in a large nonreactive bowl or resealable plastic bag and add the beer. Let the wings marinate for 12 to 24 hours; the longer the wings marinate, the more pronounced the beer flavor will be.
Step 2
2. Place the salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, and celery seed in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Set the rub aside.
Step 3
3. Drain the wings in a colander and blot them dry with paper towels, then place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the rub and toss to coat the wings evenly. Add the olive oil and toss well to mix.
Step 4
4. Cook the wings, following the instructions below for any of the grills, until the skin is browned and crisp and the meat is cooked through. To test for doneness, make a tiny cut in the thickest part of one of the larger wing halves: There should be no trace of red at the bone.
Step 5
5. Transfer the wings to a clean shallow serving bowl. Pour the butter, Sriracha, and hot sauce over them and stir to mix. Sprinkle the cilantro over the wings, if desired, and serve at once. You'll need to provide plenty of napkins.
CONTACT GRILL:
Step 6
Preheat the grill; if your contact grill has a temperature control, preheat the grill to high. Place the drip pan under the front of the grill. When ready to cook, lightly oil the grill surface. Place the wings on the hot grill, then close the lid. The wings will be done after cooking 4 to 6 minutes.
BUILT-IN GRILL:
Step 7
Preheat the grill to medium-high, then, if it does not have a nonstick surface, brush and oil the grill grate. Place the wings on the hot grate. They will be done after cooking 6 to 8 minutes per side.
FREESTANDING GRILL:
Step 8
Preheat the grill to high; there's no need to oil the grate. Place the wings on the hot grill. The wings will be done after cooking 7 to 9 minutes per side.
FIREPLACE GRILL:
Step 9
Rake red hot embers under the gridiron and preheat it for 3 to 5 minutes; you want a medium-high, 4 Mississippi fire. When ready to cook, brush and oil the gridiron. Place the wings on the hot grate. To prevent flare-ups, don't crowd the grill. The wings will be done after cooking 6 to 8 minutes per side.
WINGS IN THE ROTISSERIE:
Step 10
It's easy to cook chicken wings in a rotisserie basket. Use a flat rotisserie basket, if possible, and arrange the wings in it so that nothing sticks out, then close the basket tightly. The basket will hold about a dozen whole chicken wings. Place the drip pan in the bottom of the rotisserie. Attach the basket to the rotisserie spit, attach the spit to the rotisserie, and turn on the motor. If your rotisserie has a temperature control, set it to 400°F. The wings will be golden brown and cooked through after spit-roasting for 30 to 40 minutes. To test for doneness, make a tiny cut in the thickest part of one of the larger wing halves: There should be no trace of red at the bone.
