Beer Spas Are The Boozy Retreat You Need To Put On Your Bucket List
Have you ever tasted a beer so perfect that you daydreamed about diving into a vat of it? Daydream no more, beer lover. Beer spas turn your hop-filled dream into a reality, where you can bathe in beer (and drink it too). The idea of a beer bath might raise an eyebrow or two but don't worry, you won't be sipping the bathwater. Instead, you can relax in the bath with a draft beer in hand, combining the best of both worlds.
The allure of beer spas isn't just a product of contemporary marketing — it's steeped in deep historical and cultural significance. Beer has been used since ancient times for both medicinal purposes and relaxation. Today's modern beer spas offer a nod to these ancient practices, making them an excursion worthy of tourists and locals alike. While the concept might sound like a novelty, it embodies a long-standing appreciation for beer's soothing properties, promising a unique blend of leisure and tradition.
Breaking down beer bath benefits
First, you won't get drunk or even remotely buzzed from merely sitting in a beer bath. According to the Misugi Resort in Japan, the bathwater in beer spas consists of water combined with beer to dilute it, making the ABV about 0.03 percent. Aside from alcohol, the ingredients in beer — water, grain, hops, and yeast — make beer a source of antioxidants, B vitamins (except B12), as well as other vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
This said, beer spas tout a variety of health benefits, which are often attributed to the ingredients in beer. For instance, Prague's Original Beer Spa highlights the therapeutic properties of brewer's yeast, stating that it "helps to heal inflammation of the liver and is ideal for increased physical and mental exercise and sport."
However, it's important to approach these claims with a healthy glug of skepticism. Despite the ancient roots of beer spas, many of their benefits are inferred based on anecdotal evidence or research conducted with concentrates and extracts. While there is some promising research on drinking beer and taking brewer's yeast orally, as is written about in the journal, Hormones, the same can't be said for topical use (including bathing in diluted beer). The benefits you experience may have more to do with the beer you drink than the beer you soak in. (But hey, it still sounds like a good time!)
Where to find beer spas around the globe
The Czech Republic is the undisputed capital of beer spas, with The Original Beer Spa we mentioned (also known as Spa Beerland) as a standout spot. Here, you can relax in tubs that were once used to brew beer, lounge on a wheat straw bed after your soak, and sample unlimited beer. If that doesn't sate your appetite for beer spa enjoyment, Chodovar Brewery, Wellness Hotel Bahenec, and Purkmistr Brewery all offer sudsy soaks as well. Yet, the phenomenon has spread far beyond Czech borders, reaching as far as Iceland's Bjórbödin Beer Spa where you can take in glacier views during your soak and hit up a restaurant near the famous Blue Lagoon afterward.
In the United States, Chicago's Piva Beer Spa blends traditional spa treatments with current craft beer culture. Meanwhile, Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver offers adventurers a welcome respite from outdoorsy activities with their beer bath hydrotherapy experience. These global destinations underscore the universal appeal of beer spas, marrying the love of beer with the universal desire for relaxation and wellness. Whether you're a beer aficionado celebrating Oktoberfest, or simply searching for a unique spa experience, these establishments offer a compelling reason to add beer spas to your travel bucket list.