Hopewell Table Salt 4Pk

Hopewell Table Salt 4PK is a gose-style sour ale from Chicago's Hopewell Brewing Co., sold in a 4-pack at 4.3% ABV. What separates this wheat-based gose from traditional examples is its use of French grey sea salt alongside lemongrass, lime leaf, and cardamom — an Asian-inspired botanical combination that replaces the conventional coriander found in German-style goses.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.3%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Gose-Style Sour Ale  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co. (Logan Square)

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, building a reputation for approachable, thoughtfully constructed ales. Table Salt follows the traditional gose framework — a wheat-heavy grain bill and deliberate salinity — but diverges sharply from convention with its botanical additions. French grey sea salt provides the saline backbone, while lemongrass, lime leaf, and cardamom contribute layered aromatics that push the beer well beyond standard gose territory. The result is a low-ABV sour that reads more like a Southeast Asian-inflected refresher than a strictly German tradition.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vibrant lemon-lime citrus leads immediately, followed by a faint herbal quality from the lemongrass and lime leaf. Cardamom registers as a delicate, slightly exotic spice note underneath the bright top notes.

Taste: The entry is tart and clean, with citrus acidity balanced against a soft wheat mouthfeel. Mid-palate, the French grey sea salt emerges with measured salinity that enhances rather than dominates. The wheat backbone contributes subtle breadiness — think white bread and salted pretzels — while the cardamom provides a fleeting warm spice at the edges.

Finish: Short to medium, with lingering salinity and a malty, savory character. The tartness recedes cleanly, leaving behind a dry, mineral quality from the grey sea salt.

How to Drink Table Salt

Table Salt is best served cold, straight from the can, where its effervescence and tartness hit with full impact. Its low 4.3% ABV makes it a natural session beer for warm-weather drinking. For a simple shandy riff, combine it with a splash of fresh grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus character. It also works as a surprisingly effective beer component in a Michelada, where the existing salt and lime character harmonize with hot sauce and tomato. Try it alongside a radler build using lemonade — the lemongrass in Table Salt adds complexity that ordinary lagers cannot match.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and patio sessions where low ABV and high refreshment matter
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the gose style through a modern, botanical lens
• Pairing with spicy Thai or Vietnamese takeout
• Warm-weather gifting for fans of sour and tart beer styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Table Salt taste like? Table Salt delivers a bright lemon-lime tartness balanced by noticeable salinity from French grey sea salt, with a subtle cardamom warmth and a soft, bready wheat body underneath.

How does Table Salt compare to Westbrook Gose? Westbrook Gose follows a more traditional German profile with balanced coriander and a soft, wheat-driven mouthfeel, while Hopewell's Table Salt substitutes Asian-inspired botanicals — lemongrass, lime leaf, and cardamom — creating a more citrus-forward and aromatic drinking experience.

Is Table Salt good for sipping on its own? Yes — its low 4.3% ABV, balanced tartness, and clean salinity make it highly drinkable straight from the can, especially in warm weather when a refreshing session beer is ideal.

Where is Table Salt made? Table Salt is brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Table Salt? Green papaya salad — the tartness and salt mirror the dressing's flavors. Ceviche — the citrus brightness complements raw fish acidity. Grilled shrimp with chili-lime seasoning — the salinity and lemongrass echo similar flavor notes. Soft pretzels with mustard — a natural match for the beer's bready wheat character and salinity. Goat cheese — the tang of the cheese plays well against the sour base.

What sizes does Table Salt come in? Table Salt is commonly available in a 4-pack format.

Is Table Salt worth the price? Table Salt positions as a craft-priced specialty sour, and the unique botanical combination of French grey sea salt, lemongrass, lime leaf, and cardamom delivers genuine complexity that justifies a modest premium over standard gose offerings.

Why Table Salt?

Most American goses either follow the German playbook closely or lean into fruit additions — Table Salt does neither. The specific choice of French grey sea salt over standard salt contributes a rounder, more mineral salinity, while the lemongrass-lime leaf-cardamom trio creates an aromatic profile that has more in common with a Thai soup base than a Leipzig brewery. At 4.3% ABV, it remains firmly in session territory without sacrificing flavor density. For drinkers who find traditional goses one-dimensional, this is a genuinely different interpretation of the style from one of Chicago's more inventive small breweries.