An article from late July in a specialized newspaper, Parade, became the subject of discussion on TikTok and Reddit: is it true that adding a pinch of salt to beers makes them tastier? Absolutely yes, but we want to emphasize (and Parade does too) to do this only to cheap grocery store beers. Adding a pinch of salt to the classic lager that you find at reasonable prices can improve its flavor exponentially (Parade ventures a "up to 10 times as much"). If the taste note is not enough for you and you are an intellectual, also know that this is a typical Texas tradition imported from Mexico, it is called " dressing ", literally "dressing" the beer.
The Tradition of San Antonio Dressing
In some parts of Texas, it is traditional to add a pinch of salt to beer. This practice has ancient origins and is often done to enhance the flavor of the beer, reduce bitterness, or bring out some of the sweeter notes. Also, in warm climates like Texas, salt can help keep the beer cold for a longer period of time, promoting a feeling of greater freshness because it lowers the freezing point. The custom is not typical of the entire "Lone Star State" but only of San Antonio, which is famous in the world for having one of the best NBA teams ever, the Spurs, but it has entered history for another reason: the Alamo.
The Battle of the Alamo was fought in San Antonio, a pivotal moment in the Texas struggle for independence from Mexico because although it ended in disastrous defeat for the Texans, it became a symbol of heroic resistance against a larger and better equipped enemy. This bloody debacle galvanized the rebellious spirit of Texans, fueling the desire for independence and uniting the different factions fighting for this goal, making the Alamo one of the founding myths of Texan identity.
As often happens in these tragic moments, however, there is also a mix between the populations: in Italy, during the Austrian domination, the Spritz was born, in America, the Mexicans exported the addition of salt to beer. A tradition that in Mexico is continually remembered thanks to a famous Mexican lager beer to which a salt crust is made on the rim and a lime wedge is added to the inside. After almost two centuries, this tradition is still alive in Texas (less so in Mexico, now commercialized) and there is no pub in San Antonio that does not have a salt shaker on the table when needed.
Does Adding Salt to Beer Really Work?
Yes, it really does work. Adding a pinch of salt to beer can enhance the flavor of the drink. Salt has the ability to balance and intensify certain flavors, but we suggest you only do this with low-cost beers, as premium beers don’t need any adjustments.
The method makes sense because salt reduces the perception of bitterness, typical of many industrial beers, allowing other more subtle flavors to emerge, it also enhances the sweet notes making the drink more pleasant to the palate. A practical tip that we would like to give you is to fill the glass only halfway: a bit like what happens with Neapolitan open-leg lemonade, the salt in the beer leads to an eruption that can be controlled by reducing the liquid. If you don't want to get dirty, fill only half a glass, add a pinch of salt, let it dissolve and enjoy.
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