Czechs love their beer — so much that they bathe in the stuff, and now you can too. Beer spas have been popping up around the Czech Republic over the past few years, all hailing the restorative powers of beer.
At the beer spa at Hotel Bahenec in Jablunkov, in the eastern reaches of the country close to the Polish border, you can hop in a wooden half-barrel tub filled with warm beer — 37 degrees Celsius to be precise. The warm concoction smells a lot like beer because it’s made up of the same stuff — water, yeast, hops and malt. The whirlpool keeps the temperature at the right level and produces a heady foam at the top of your relaxation keg. Beer taps are within arm’s reach next to each tub, so you can pour yourself a mug of cold brew rather than drinking straight from the tub (whew!).
After your 20-minute soak, you’re wrapped in towels and lay down on a bed of hay (yep, the stuff horses eat) to sweat out any lingering toxins. The whole process is said to be very relaxing and helps reduce stress and soften your skin. The practice dates back to medieval times.
A two-day package at the Hotel Bahenec including beer spa visits for two, one night accommodation and all meals starts at €163 (about $213).
