Won't the sodium cover up bitterness as well?
There's an experiment for you. Add some table salt to a bitter beer and see. Then do the same with some calcium chloride and compare. And, of course, let us know what you conclude.
Isn't that how schiltz was originally marketed? Poured over ice, dash of salt, and a lemon.
Can't say I remember that. Just being old enough to remember something doesn't mean you do remember it. I do remember a polka in which the refrain was "Ice cubes and beer, boys..."