What Is a Beer Bath, Its Benefits, and How You Can Take One

A beer bath is exactly what it sounds like – a bath infused with beer ingredients. However, there are specific ways to take a beer-infused bath to reap its benefits and enjoy the unique experience.

In this article, we’ll share what a beer bath is, a bit of history, and the benefits of bathing in beer. We’ll also discuss how you can bathe in beer at home or a beer spa.

What is a beer bath?

While you might think a beer bath is quite literally beer in a tub, that’s not the case. Although beer baths aren’t all the same, a beneficial wellness experience is a tub of warm water infused with beer and other nourishing ingredients. 

Bathing in beer is a concept that’s been around for many years. Think of it like a relaxing hot tub with beer ingredients, but the experience varies depending on where you are in the world. 

The Beer Bath Hydrotherapy experience at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado, is a cedar tub with water infused with beer’s main ingredients, hops and barley. It also has a seasonal herbal blend that offers wellness benefits. We’ll discuss this more below.

Beer Bath History

Beer baths are said to date back over a thousand years, with the original beer spa treatment taking place in 921. At that time, the King of the Duke of Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, was known for his love of ‘cold brewery sludge baths.' Since then, bathing in beer has become a popular part of Eastern European culture. 

For thousands of years, ingredients in beer baths have been used as a natural herbal medicine that provides hygiene and wellness advantages. You can find many beer spas in Prague, which are mostly known for their party atmosphere. Other beer-inspired spas are also popping up in Austria, Poland, Germany, Spain, Iceland, and now the US.

Benefits of Bathing in Beer

Not only are beer baths a unique experience, but they also offer wellness benefits.

Of course, warm baths are relaxing. However, beer’s main ingredients, hops and malted barley, are said to have ingredients that can support a healthy mind and body.

Hops have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, and barley has nutrients like amino acids, zinc, and B vitamins – all of which support healthy skin and hair. 

Let’s explore the benefits of taking a beer bath.

Enhances Skin

The antioxidants and nutrients found in beer ingredients can help improve or maintain skin health.

As you soak in warm water, your pores begin to open up, which allows you to absorb the nutrients in your bath. These nutrients help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles while washing away skin toxins and bacteria.

Reduces Stress

Many of us know how refreshing it feels to take a nice, long bath. Research shows that soaking in a bath helps with fatigue, stress, and pain. When you add hops, a natural sedative, you get to take your relaxation up a notch to feel calm in the moment and improve your sleep.

Absorbing beer ingredients and herbal blends into your skin, your body’s largest organ, allows you to unwind in the best way.  Not only do herbal ingredients such as lavender and citrus smell nice, but they also have medicinal effects, with stress relief being one of them. 

Improves Circulation

A warm, beer-infused bath can improve your blood circulation and improve your overall health. Being submerged in warm water allows your vessels to expand and get your blood flowing for healthy blood circulation. 

As your blood and oxygen easily flow through the body, your organs can properly function. Your body will be able to heal damaged cells and remove waste that’s created by different organs. This results in being able to more easily focus, sleep, and recover from illnesses.

Reduces Muscle Tension

Warm beer baths are ideal for people with sore muscles, including athletes. During your warm bath, your muscle tension is reduced as your circulation improves. As your blood flows and increases the elasticity of connective tissue, you loosen spasms and release tension from around your muscles.

Relieves Joint Pain

Warm water hydrotherapy is recommended for relieving joint pain, especially if you have arthritis, because it acts as an anti-inflammatory. As you soak in warm water, the force of gravity that’s pushing on the joint is released, and your flexibility improves. 

Beer’s nutrients can also relieve pain that's caused by joint issues.

Revitalizes Hair

Do you ever look for special shampoos or salon treatments that will nourish and strengthen your hair? A beer bath might be your solution.

The vitamins found in barley are often used in hair treatments. For nourished hair that shines, be sure to dip your hair into the water while you’re bathing in beer.

Where to Take a Beer Bath in The United States

While beer baths are popular in Prague, you can also take one in the US at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado. 

The first of its kind, Oakwell Beer Spa is a modern, urban oasis that offers a unique experience unlike any other. It’s both a craft beer taproom and a luxurious, beer-inspired day spa. 

You can enjoy Oakwell’s signature spa treatment, Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, and relax in a cedar hydrotherapy tub filled with hops, barley, and herbs. As you soak, the tub’s air bubbler system creates thousands of tiny calming bubbles. You can also enjoy other day spa services, including an Infrared Sauna and Zero Gravity Massage. 

Oakwell Beer Spa’s baths take place in a private Beer Therapy™ Room for up to two people. You can also have a larger group by booking multiple rooms or the entire spa.

Taking a beer-infused bath at Oakwell Beer Spa is a must-try experience for anyone who enjoys beer or simply wants to treat themselves to a bucket list spa day.

How to Take a Beer Bath at Home

If you want to create your own beer bath experience at home, Oakwell Cosmetics has rejuvenating beer-infused bath products inspired by Oakwell Beer Spa.

Fill your tub up with warm water and add Oakwell Cosmetics Herbal Beer Bath Tea to your water. The Beer Bath Tea is made with hops, barley, and eucalyptus for a relaxing, revitalizing, and relaxing bath.

You can take the experience up a notch like you’re at the spa with other beer-inspired bath products:

• Calming Beer Bath Salts - a therapeutic blend of Epsom and sea salt, barley, hops, oats, and essential oils
• Beer Body Wash - a creamy body wash with beer ingredients, goat’s milk, and orange essential oil
• Relaxing Cedarwood & Amber Candle - a calming candle reminiscent of cozy days
• Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler - a stylish tumbler to keep your refreshing drink cool while taking a warm bath
• Waffle Bath Robe - a luxurious and lightweight robe with an adjustable belt to fit most sizes

You can also give the gift of a beer-inspired bath with a Beer Therapy Gift Box, which comes with various Oakwell Cosmetics products for the ultimate relaxation experience.

Beer Bath: Conclusion

Beer baths are a unique and fun wellness experience that offer many benefits! We hope you found this article helpful and feel inspired to book a spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, CO, or create your very own beer-infused bath with items from Oakwell Cosmetics.