Beer does great in making hush puppy's also. And if you have a fifth of wild turkey hanging around. It does even better in them.
AS for the batter for the fish after you dip them in the beer.
2 cups meal
1 cup self rising flower
salt and pepper and a dash of garlic powder.
I use this above on mine.
And I will be cooking catfish for between 300 and 400 at the end of the month. And have not had anyone not like them yet.
But you can bet I try some crappie like your using.
Pete