You can prepare the chicken on either the BBQ (fire up only half of the burners this way) or in the oven at 175°C. 

1. Preheat your oven (or prep the BBQ). 

2. Remove the giblets from the cavity of the chicken, if your purchased chicken has them. 

3. Mix the thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl then sprinkle it all over the chicken. 

4. Making sure your beer can is open, half full and at room temperature, lower the chicken over the open can so the chicken is sitting upright with it's can over its cavity. 

5. Place your chicken in the oven (or over the cool side of the BBQ grill), using the legs and the beer can to keep it stable. If you're using the BBQ, keep it covered. 

6. Cook the chicken for one hour, then check. Keep checking the chicken every 15 minutes until a meat thermometer returns a reading of 70°C in the thickest part of the chicken thigh. If you don't have a thermometer, poke the chicken deeply with a knife. The chicken will be done once the juice runs clear not pink. Cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken, but may take 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 

7. Once cooked, move the chicken onto a tray. Be very careful doing this, as the beer inside the can will be HOT. Let the chicken rest for 10 mins. 

8. Lift the chicken off the can using tongs and oven mitts. 

Carve, serve and enjoy!