Popeyes announced Tuesday that they'll be offering beer can chicken for a limited time.
The Lousiana-inspired meal has neither beer nor can, unlike the usual beer can chicken that's grilled outdoors with a whole can ofbeer. Popeyes' version is fried and marinated in garlic, butter, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest to achieve a beer-like flavor.
According to the press release from the company, for $3.99 each chicken breast is cut into strips, hand-battered in Popeyes' signature coating and fried in their traditional method. It's served with a spicy Creamy Cayenne dipping sauce, biscuit and Cajun fries.
"The legendary beer can seasonings and Popeyes dedication to true southern-cooked food makes Beer Can Chicken a natural offering for Popeyes customers," said Hector Munoz, Popeyes' vice president of marketing. He said that they always look into their Southern heritage to find ways on how it can innovate and improve their menu.
#BeerCanChicken the Popeyes way. All the traditional flavors with none of the traditional cooking. pic.twitter.com/XsXaEpsJun
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) September 22, 2014
Munoz said it's not about the beer, but about the flavor that they decided to develop the product. Businessweek, on other hand, said it's probably due to the trend in recent years. Beer flavors food and beverages are cropping up in the market. Recently, Starbucks launched a beer-flavored latte.
Popeyes has already received criticisms on the product, as some people are calling out the company for naming it beer can chicken when no beer is involved in cooking.
"Annie," Popeyes spokeswoman introduced the beer chicken in a Youtube commercial uploaded in the brand's Youtube channel. The spokeswoman started with the introduction of the beer can chicken popular in the South for years.
"Honey, this is Southern cooking at its best," said Annie.
The Beer Can Chicken will be available until October 25 in participating Popeyes location.
