Beer is the best subst. I gave up on the normal stuff early on, mainly cause 1/2 a can (500ml) goes to the batter and 1/2 goes to me gullet
.
I've never tried the corn meal in the batter , but if I can remember it I'll give it a go.
EDIT:
suviko, hehe that made me laff, its now about 27 degrees (c) here in the UK, and I'm planning a BBQ... No doubt give it about the time I want to fire up the grill it'll be pissing down
..