Beer Salt

When you’re in Texas and you ordered a beer, it’s most likely that you’re going to get a dressed-up one. It is a common tradition in the state to enjoy a beer with a delicious citrus and saltiness flavor; hence, the birth of beer salt. Beer salt is inspired by the Latin tradition of putting lime and salt in a beer. It started when Roger Trevino Sr. discovered a citrus-flavored salt on his trip to a Mexican street market. Unifying the concept of the Latin tradition and his discovery, he came up with the idea of crafting something that is more portable. As he went back home in Texas, he created his own versions of this seasoning and started his company Twang. His products rapidly became a hit in the state up to the point that Twang’s beer salt can be found in cars, purses, and pockets of the locals.

Beer Salt Trivia

• Beer salt is low in calories.
• Some people claim that a beer sprinkled with beer salts makes them drunk faster; however, it cannot be scientifically proven to be true.
• Beer salts are now used as a marinade or rub.

Beer Salt Buying Guide

While you can craft your own beer salt at home, some find it more convenient to buy the ones in stores. Hence, here are some tips that might help when you opt to purchase beer salt commercially:

1. You can find beer salt in the spice aisle and the liquor section of the store. It is also available in shops that sell wines, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages.
2. Check out the ingredients list to see if there are other flavorings or spices involved in the product. 
3. As always, pick the ones with lesser preservatives and hard to pronounce chemicals.
4. Buy from stores that have a high turn-over rate. 
5. Often, seasonings from local food vendors and artisans in farmers’ markets are better than the mass-produced ones. Here, you’ll get close to no preservatives and the ingredients are usually organic. Their products are made in small batches and you might be able to get free samples along the way. And don’t forget that our Texas Real Food website is home to all Texan vendors that would love to hear from you.

Beer Salt Production & Farming in Texas

Salt is known as the oldest and most used mineral in the state of Texas. The city of Grand Saline even has enough supply of salt to cover for another 200 centuries. Thus, the state is home to numerous producers of salt. Likewise, the state of Texas also features countless numbers of craft beers that are locally produced in breweries. That’s why Texans love beers and Texans like it dressed – with beer salt! Twang, the first and number one producer of beer salt in Texas, has been adding flavor and fun experience to millions of people since 1986. And they don’t just manufacture one plain variety as they also craft premium flavored beer salts. Hence, the majority of beer salt production revolves around this brand; some locals even put it in their purses or pockets so that in case the bar doesn’t come up with a beer dressed in beer salt, they can do it themselves. But, beer salts can also be done at home. It’s cheaper and you can explore with different flavorings along the way. The basic recipe can be found below.

Pesticides, additives, and chemicals:

Although store-bought beer salt is more convenient to buy in large supermarkets such as H-E-B and Natural Grocers, it can be expensive and it most likely contains some additives or chemicals to fortify the product while mass-producing a longer-lasting item at a lesser cost. Thus, here are some additives and chemicals that we found on two popular brands:  

• Tricalcium Phosphate – This chemical compound is sometimes abbreviated as TCP. It is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid that is used to fortify the food with calcium. Although it is safe and claimed to be promising when it comes to bone and mineral regeneration, this product, when taken in high amounts, can lead to hypercalcemia, kidney stones, and cardiovascular problems. 

• Sodium Citrate – This additive is also known as trisodium citrate. It is the salt found in citric acid. It acts as a preservative and a flavor enhancer, while reducing the acidity in food. Although it is classified as safe to consume, it can cause weight gain, mood changes, weakness, or cramps.

• Silicon Dioxide – This chemical compound is also known as silica. It is used as a thickener, stabilizer, anticaking agent, and carrier for aroma and flavor. Although it is safe to consume, it can lead to lung problems when consumed past its RDA. 

• Natural flavorings – These are natural additives that are used to intensify the flavors of the product. For beer salt, some natural flavorings include lemon oil, lime oil, citral, other herbs, and spices.

Packaging:

Beer salt may come in cartons, shakers, pet bottles, jars, glass and plastic containers, pouches, and single-use packets. Twang, a popular brand for beer salt, also packages their product in cute little bottles that literally look like a beer.

Enjoying Beer Salt

Indeed, we Texans prefer our beer dressed. When you order a bottle of beer in the state, especially Dos Equis, the bottle has to come up with its rim being coated with lime and sprinkled with salt. Thus, beer salt has become a popular tradition as it takes the whole drinking experience into a whole nother level. If your beer salt already contains lime, then all you have to do is sprinkle them onto the rim of the beer bottle. Otherwise, smudge some fresh lime and finally sprinkle with beer salt. Consequently, lick the beer salt and start chugging. Then, repeat the step. Beer salt is the perfect seasoning for domestic lagers, Belgian-style wheat beers, and some other Mexican imports. 

Another way to enjoy beer salt is by rubbing them onto your favorite meat prior to cooking. It especially goes well on white meat such as chicken and pork. Some also use beer salt to season vegetables.

Storage:

Beer salt is best kept in a sealable bag or air-tight container. You can also keep them in shakers with the lid on. It should be then stored in a cool and dry area far from humid and hot zones like stoves, grills, and ovens to prolong their shelf life. You may opt to use a funnel when transferring the seasoning into jars to prevent it from spilling. Although beer salt can last for about 3-4 years, its flavor weakens over time and it might absorb some moisture, which can make it lumpy. Thus, your beer salt is at its best within the first 6 months from the production date.

Make your own Beer Salt:

Beer salt is relatively easy to make at home. It is something you can do with only two ingredients. Plus, you don’t need an oven or dehydrator to start with; although, it would shorten the drying time by more than half. You can also feel free to experiment with other ingredients as well. Lime, lemons, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauces are also a popular addition. Nevertheless, here’s a basic recipe to get started:

Ingredients:

• 22 fluid ounces stout beer
• 1 ½ cups Kosher salt or coarse sea salt

Method:

1. Boil the beer in a pot and simmer until it is reduced to around two tablespoons. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes, but you’re looking for a thick and syrupy consistency.
2. Once you’ve got the right viscosity, mix in the sea salt and turn off the heat.
3. Lay the mixture onto a wax paper, parchment paper, or Silpat and air dry for about 24 to 48 hours. You can also use a dehydrator or the oven set at the lowest temperature, where it would dry for 10-12 hours.
4. Make sure that the mixture is at room temperature and completely dry. Then, pulverize it using a blender or food processor to make beer salt – sometimes all you need is three or four pulses!
5. Store in an airtight container for further use.