This article was written by National Geographic Traveler (UK).
Ancient bathing rituals have a rich and colorful history. Cleopatra was soaked in donkey milk, the Romans were soaked in wine and king's Venslas, even a sludge-like brewery from the Bohemian brewery. Today, the global bathing culture, from the latest in Japan to the Hammams in Turkey, continues to evolve, mixing traditional practices with modern wellness trends. In Eastern Europe, this involves adding hops, malt grains, yeast and barley to bath water. This dates back to the Middle Ages and is still celebrated today. As a result, beer spas are spread across Belgium, France, Spain, Iceland, the UK and the US, each putting their own spin on the experience. Some people add unfiltered or younger beers to the mix, while others skip the yeast. Many emphasize the Hytamine B content of beer, claiming it will increase skin hydration and elasticity.
There is also science that supports these claims. According to a 2013 report by the Journal of the European Academy of Sermatology and Venereology, hops have a variety of therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. What science doesn't need to tell you is that soaking in a hop-infused hot tub is incredibly relaxing. Here are six of the best beer spas to try out this steamy trend.
Hops have been proven to improve circulation, reduce muscle tone and activate the skin. Photo by Shutterstock, Vubaz
Norfolk Mead uses a bubbly blend of malts and hops, rich in vitamins. Photo by Tatum Reid
Norfolk, UK
Norfolk Mead, the UK's first official beer spa, was opened to the public last year. Set up inside a luxurious boutique hotel on the banks of Norfolk Broad's river, the new state-of-the-art thermal suite features a hydrotherapy pool, herb steam room and mudroom, where guests can detoxify and apply minerals – minerals can. Rich mud. Outside, guests will enjoy an aromatic sauna, a hot tub and an exhilarating cold shower “bucket”. However, the spa's outstanding feature is its unique beer bathing ritual. The wooden bathtub is packed with a bubbly blend of vitamin-rich malts and hops from a nearby Woodford brewery. It is a component known for its antioxidants and anti-aging properties. These are said to rejuvenate and smoothen the skin, reduce inflammation and improve circulation. Plus, as the jets in the bathtub massage the muscles, the same brewery ale taps and enjoys it.
How to do it: A 45-minute beer experience costs £68 per person.
Prague, Czech Republic
Czechs are known for their love of beer and are consistently ranked as the world's top consumer per capita, so it's surprising that the country is home to a variety of beer spas there is no. Prague's first Chateau Spa Beer Land opened in 1981 in a magnificent 17th century building. The brand currently has six distinctive locations across the country, each with its own unique charm, but Chateau Spa Beerland, located in a historic cellar in a new town in Prague, remains a crown jewel. is.
Here, guests can bathe in one of three rooms. One is decorated with vaulted ceilings and the other is decorated with hops, stained glass windows introducing oak and barley motifs, and is fitted with a hop-infused cedar sauna. The 1,000 liter homemade oak tub is packed with ingredients from Czech Krusovice beer. Hops, brewer's yeast, malt. Essential oils found in hops help to minimize the appearance of pores, while yeast is rich in vitamin B and active enzymes to help regenerate the skin. Tap unlimited bright ale and dark ale to pour a glass before sinking into warm water and quickly rejuvenate. After the bath, guests can relax in a bed of organic straws next to the roaring and enjoy homemade beer bread. Check out the copper chandelier decorated with beer fountains and beer glasses in the lobby.
How to do it: A one-hour session costs £39 and you get a 15% discount for 2 hours.
Denver, USA
Located in the heart of Denver, Colorado, Oakwell Beer Spa is a cool craft beer culture with a blend of high-tech wellness such as zero gravity massage chairs, infrared saunas and cedar hydrotherapy tabs. Each month, French-American owners Jessica French and Damian Zouaui are known for their names such as Denver Beer Co, Celvequeria Colorado, Great Divide, Prost, Spice Trade Brewing, Lone Tree Brewing, and Left Hand Brewing. We invite local craft breweries including. We offer hops and malt mixes in taprooms and beer bath blends. This unique, handmade blend of hops, barley and herbs (without yeast) has been described by spa guests as “huge foaming beer tea.” The bathtub bubbler system surrounds the body with beer-like foam, which is said to stimulate metabolism, promote circulation, promote smooth, fine lines, reduce redness, and relieve stress.
How to do it: The 90-minute beer therapy ritual for two people is £157.
Litli-árskógssandur, Iceland
Located on the Trolaskagi Peninsula along Iceland's rugged east coast, Bjorbodin Beer Spa invites guests to relax in a wooden beer bath while enjoying the idyllic views of the surrounding mountains and the island of Friesy . For best results, it is recommended that guests skip bathing outfits and avoid showering for at least 4 hours, cutting off the soft benefits of the spa skin and hair completely. First, soak for 30 minutes in a powerful blend of spa powerful young beers made with live yeast, hops, water, beer oil and beer salt before rewinding for 20 minutes in the relaxation room. Young beers, still in the early fermentation stage, are thought to tighten and soften the hair follicles due to their low pH. Yeast activates the skin and hair, while hops are said to boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Guests can then enjoy a selection of local craft ales at the spa's in-house restaurant.
How to do it: Experience costs 109 pounds per person and 145 pounds in a couple's bath.
Bath & Barley Beer Spa is located in a medieval cellar in Bruges. I want more photos
Bruges, Belgium
After discovering the beer spa concept in the Czech Republic, Bath & Valley founders Louis Reissorf and Bad de Brabanter launched their first spa in Brussels in 2021, and then in 2023, the second in Bruges. The location has started. The same – wooden baths, taps with locally brewed pilsner, saunas, straw beds – the Bruges location offers a more luxurious concept with interiors designed by creative Belgian studio Wewantmore.
The spa dome-shaped reception room in a medieval cellar is wrapped in copper sheets and has a sensual ceiling that nods to traditional brewing kettles and releases the aroma of dry hops and barley. Guests can create their own custom-made hop mix or enjoy hop scrubs on the bus. There is also the option to add to your beer flight with gourmet food combinations.
How to do it: An hourly session costs £82.
Strasbourg, France
The Tarca Brewer Spa, France's first beer spa, opened in the heart of Alsace in 2022. This is the northeastern region, famous for its brewing heritage and responsible for 60% of the country's beer production and most of the hops. Here, guests can enjoy local local beer beer on tap.
The spa itself features four wooden barrel-style baths, creating a collaborative, intimate experience. Its distinctive three-stage “diving” ritual begins in a 15-minute sauna, then immersed in a blend of hops, malts and yeast for 30 minutes, and concludes with a 15-minute relaxation on a cushioned wooden bench. . This immersive ritual is designed to detoxify the body and relax the mind, providing a truly unique way to experience the local brewing traditions.
How to do it: The 60-minute “diving” experience is based on the fact that the two share a bathtub, £41 per person, or £50 for a solo soak. “The Big Dive” is 90 minutes and has a 60-minute bathing session that costs £62 per person.
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