Salt in bitter beer: an old trick to mellow hops
Adding a pinch of salt to a bitter beer, a practice dating back to Roman times, counteracts the bitterness of the hops and enhances the sweet nuances of the malt.
Just as salt is added to coffee to reduce bitterness, the same treatment can be applied to bitter beers. A little salt will counteract the bitterness of the hops, a key ingredient that gives beer its bitter flavor. As an added benefit, this salt enhances the more subtle and sweeter nuances, especially those of the malt.
The Romans used salt to enhance the flavor of red wine. This method aligns perfectly with the use of salt in cooking. Some types of beer, like German Gose, incorporate salt during their brewing process for this reason and to improve texture. For a different twist, add a squeeze of lime along with the salt to make a classic Mexican chelada.
Salt isn't the only thing you can add to beer to enhance its flavor. There's a spicy michelada with Clamato, or a "snakebite" made with fifty percent beer and fifty percent cider. There are several interesting combinations, so you'll never be without a solution for that mediocre beer.