Saw a BBQ program on FN where they visited several BBQ places - the one that was said to have the best beans did this:
The had LARGE smokers with several shelves. The put the chicken on the top shelf, brisket under that with the ribs and the pork shoulder on the lower shelves. The beans went in below them all.
As they cooked, each meat dripped on what was below it so the beans got all the flavors dripped into them.
When they pulled the pork and sliced the brisket, they threw some of each in the beans before serving.
Sounded good to me
