One of the simplest preparations for any grilling recipe is the beer can marinade. Whether you are working with a pork recipe for ribs, a chicken recipe or beef, the right type of beer can make your grill meat tender and uniquely flavored. If you've never experimented with a beer can marinade before, there are a couple of rules of thumb you can follow to make your first experiences simple and easy.

For chicken, try a light-colored beer. Any type of amber-colored brew is a potential marinade, but sometimes the more exotic Japanese beers can add a great flavor to your chicken recipe. For darker meats, the brews can still be light, but if you like a sweet barbecue sauce flavor, consider marinating in a dark Irish stout. When using beer in outdoor grilling recipes, remember that the alcohol will cook off the meat, and you don't risk the "flambé effect." As with all marinades, the longer you soak the meat, the better the flavor.

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