Beer Spas Bubble Up as the Latest Global Wellness Trend

Beer spas, inspired by a long-standing tradition in the Czech Republic, have recently opened in Iceland, Spain, and the US. As I stood beneath the stained-glass depiction of Tycho Brahe, the renowned 16th-century Danish astronomer, I prepared to immerse myself in a massive oak tub filled with 1,000 liters of water. Nikola Skypalova, assisting me, held large wooden ladles filled with essential ingredients to add to the water.

What is Beer Spa?

You soak yourself in a tub filled with beer, soaking in the goodness of malt, yeast, and hops. It’s like combining the relaxation of a spa with the enjoyment of beer, giving you a unique and refreshing experience.

According to Spa Beerland in Prague, the world’s largest beer spa, people have been taking beer baths for about two thousand years.

It is explains that beer baths, and even drinking it for health reasons, have been practiced in folk medicine for a long time. Brewer’s yeast, which comes from making beer, has been used to treat different health problems since ancient times, a remedy passed down from older generations.

For centuries, Eastern Europe has practiced the tradition of beer baths. The first known instance dates back to 921 AD when King Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic), had his servants fill cold baths with wort. Wort is the liquid extracted during beer brewing from local abbeys.

Social media played a big role in making the trend popular. On Instagram, the hashtag #beerspa has nearly 25,000 posts. In these posts, you’ll see people relaxing in wooden tubs filled with a mixture of beer. Some even hold a mug and take sips while they soak. Besides making your skin feel great, savoring a sip at a time can also brighten your mood.

It contains malt, yeast, and hops, which are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are good for the skin. Brewer’s yeast can moisturize and hydrate the skin well, making it feel softer. Antioxidants in hops protect the skin, slowing down aging. Also, beer’s natural acids gently remove dead skin cells, making the skin smoother and more glowing.