Tim Byres has a no-fail method for ribs: He rubs them with a seasoned beer-based mop and cooks them in a foil packet for almost an hour to keep them moist before smoking them over wood. Slideshow: Amazing Ideas for Ribs
How to Make It
Light a grill. In a large bowl, combine all of the mop ingredients and whisk until smooth.
Season the ribs all over with salt and pepper. Layer two 18-inch sheets of foil on a work surface and set a half rack of ribs in the center; pull the edges of foil up around the ribs. Spoon 3/4 cup of the mop over the rack and seal tightly in the foil. Repeat with the remaining 3 racks. Grill the rib packets over moderate heat, covered, for 45 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the rib packets to a baking sheet and let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, transfer the remaining mop to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until reduced to 1 cup, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool completely.
Wrap the wood chips in a double layer of foil and poke holes in the top of the packet. Remove the grill grate. Turn the heat off on half of the grill or rake the coals to one side. Set the wood chip packet directly on the flames or on the coals and replace the grill grate. When the chips are smoking, carefully open the rib packets and arrange the racks on the grill over indirect heat. Discard the foil and juices. Cover the grill and smoke the ribs until the meat is very tender, 1 hour. Brush the ribs with the reduced mop, transfer to a platter and serve.
Make Ahead
The finished ribs can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.