Some say yes, other’s no, but Texans have been doing it for years, especially with cheap beer, and they swear by it.

In the US, adding salt to beer is primarily associated with light beers, especially styles from Mexico, so it’s not surprising that Texans are all about it. But even international brewers are getting involved. Heineken’s Birra Moretti Sale di Mare, is basically unfiltered Birra Moretti lager, but “with a hint of sea salt.”

But one thing’s for sure, salting beer, which has been around since before prohibition, is gaining momentum. And with inflation taking its toll on everybody’s “discretionary budget,” and more people gravitating to less-expensive beer, we expect this trend will continue.

So Why Add Salt to Beer?

1. Salt Can Reduces Bitterness
   Cheap beers often have a harsh or overly bitter aftertaste. Salt can help balance out these flavors by suppressing bitterness, making the beer smoother and easier to drink.
2. It Enhances Sweetness & Flavor
   Salt naturally enhances sweetness and can bring out subtle flavors in beer that might otherwise be masked by bitterness. This effect can make a budget-friendly beer taste more complex.
3. Salt Increases Carbonation Perception
   When salt is added to beer, it can create a temporary fizz or enhance the feeling of carbonation. This can make a flat or less bubbly beer seem more refreshing.
4. Adding Salt To Beer May Reduce Bloating
   Some drinkers claim that salt helps reduce bloating by encouraging burping, which releases excess gas from the stomach.
5. Salt As A Regional Tradition & Preference
   In some cultures, adding salt to beer is a long-standing tradition. It’s especially common in Latin American countries, where beer is sometimes mixed with lime and salt for a michelada-style experience.

Does Adding Salt Actually Improve Cheap Beer?

As with just about with everything, the answer depends on personal preference.

If you find cheap beer too bitter, too flat, or lacking in flavor, a pinch of salt might help improve the taste. However, if you enjoy beer as is, you might not find much benefit in adding salt.

On the other hand, some Texas beer fans are all about it…

At the subreddit r/beer, one Redditor said: “In Texas we call that ‘dressed’” adding that “most bars in San Antonio have containers to pour salt on the side of bottles or rims of glasses and most liquor stores and gas stations sell beer salt at the register”.

And  Parade is reporting that “in Wisconsin, where the fan favorites PBR, Miller High Life, Schlitz and Hamm’s are brewed, adding salt to ice-cold cans is commonplace too, with a typical move being adding salt and ice to a pint glass and then pouring in a bottle of Miller High Life”.

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