With the outdoor grilling season heating up, poultry giant Perdue has created its own beer for use in making “beer-can chicken,” the company announced Wednesday.

The classic beer-can chicken recipe involves inserting an opened can of suds into the cavity of an uncooked poultry. The beer steams, keeping the bird moist and adding flavor as well.

The Perdue brew contains honey, citra hops, barley, American ale yeast, lemon and orange puree, sea salt, pink peppercorn, rosemary and thyme.

The beer will be 5.5% alcohol by volume, and can also be enjoyed in the recipe or as a standalone thirst-slaker. Perdue says it came up with the idea to settle once and for all which beer is best for making the iconic dish.

Perdue “noticed a lack of consensus on what type of beer is best. As the fresh chicken experts, we worked with our friends at Torch & Crown Brewing Company to settle the debate for once and all,” said Perdue Vice President of Marketing Julie Lehman in a company statement.

Manhattan-based Torch & Crown added ingredients often found in seasoning to help perfect the brew. The company’s co-founder and head brewer Joe Correia said “We’re very happy with how the beer turned out as it perfectly balances both seasonal summer flavors and ingredients commonly found in chicken seasonings to help maximize the flavor.”

The beer will go on sale online only at 9 a.m. Monday and will be available while supplies last at beercanchicken.beer.

Shoppers will also be able to find Perdue whole chickens blazoned with a picture of the beer in stores.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.