Beer Spa vs Wine Bath vs Sauna: Relaxing Spa Traditions

For centuries, people have used heat and water to help the body slow down and recover. While the traditions vary by culture, the goal is the same: calm the nervous system and ease physical tension.

Beer baths, wine baths, and saunas all support relaxation in different ways. What makes them unique is how the heat is delivered, how the body responds, and the kind of reset each experience offers.

Below, we break down how each ritual works, what the experience is like, and who might enjoy it best.

Alternative Spa Experiences: A Quick World Tour

Spa rituals go far beyond massage tables and cucumber water. Around the world, everyday ingredients have become full-body therapies rooted in tradition.

In the Czech Republic, soaking in hops and barley is a seasonal wellness ritual. France developed vinotherapy using grape extracts rich in antioxidants. In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, sauna culture grew around heat, steam, and contrast therapy.

Each approach supports relaxation and skin health, but the experience itself feels very different.

A Beer Spa

Most people expect something playful or gimmicky when they hear about a beer spa. However, a true beer bath is far from that.

A beer bath uses warm water infused with hops, barley, and herbs. When heated, these ingredients release vitamins, amino acids, and herbal aromas that offer a therapeutic experience.

Hops are a natural sedative with calming effects, while barley supports skin hydration and elasticity. The warm water in a beer bath also helps ease muscle tension without the more intense heat of a sauna. You can think of it as a hot tub with wellness benefits.

At Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, the focus is on wellness. Beer bath hydrotherapy takes place in a private beer suite in a spacious tub, perfect for relaxing. It’s one of the best and most unique wellness experiences to enjoy solo, on a date night, or with friends.

A Wine Bath

Vinotherapy is said to have begun in Bordeaux after spa owners noticed vineyard workers aging more slowly than expected. Grape extracts rich in resveratrol and polyphenols became central to the practice for their antioxidant qualities.

A wine bath isn’t filled with wine. It’s warm water infused with grape extracts, seed oils, and crushed skins. The scent is subtle, with notes of berries and oak rather than alcohol.

The water feels slightly heavier than a standard bath. After soaking, the skin often feels moisturized, with a mild flush from increased circulation. Compared to a beer bath, the effect leans more toward skincare than muscle recovery and relaxation.

A Sauna

Like beer baths and vinotherapy, sauna bathing uses heat to help the body slow down and reset — but in a simpler way. There are no added scents or ingredients, just warmth, air, and time to slow down.

Two common traditions shape the experience: the Finnish dry sauna and Eastern European steam baths. The difference comes down to temperature, humidity, and how the heat settles into the body.

Finnish dry saunas run hot with low humidity, often between 195–250°F. The heat feels direct, encouraging a deep sweat and a noticeable full-body response.

Eastern European steam baths use lower temperatures with much higher humidity. The heat builds gradually, allowing muscles to relax without the sharp intensity of a dry sauna. Some traditions use birch or oak branches to support circulation.

At Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, you can enjoy infrared sauna therapy, which takes a different approach to heat. Instead of warming the air, infrared heat warms the body directly, creating a gentler experience at lower temperatures. This supports relaxation and muscle recovery without the intensity of traditional sauna heat. 

What the Science Says

While we often think of spa treatments simply as a way to unwind, there are several benefits supported by research. 

Here’s how beer, wine, and sauna therapy can support the body:

• Beer bath ingredients like hops, barley, and seasonal botanicals have antioxidants and B vitamins that help support the skin barrier and calm irritation.
• Vinotherapy uses grape seed polyphenols, which are linked to improved microcirculation and protection against oxidative stress.
• Sauna bathing has been associated with cardiovascular and stress-regulation benefits, including long-term Finnish studies showing lower risk of heart disease and overall mortality.

The Why Behind Oakwell Beer Spa

Oakwell Beer Spa came to be when the now-owners wanted to bring a unique wellness experience to the United States. They were on a trip around the world in search of the perfect business idea when they came across a beer spa in Poland. While soaking in a warm, bubbly beer bath and sipping on beer, they realized the experience combined several things they were passionate about: wellness, craft beer, and bringing people together.

After spending a few months exploring spa and bathing cultures globally, they knew their destiny was set. They decided to incorporate the best spa experiences worldwide to create a modern, high-tech wellness space that combines a day spa and taproom into one. Soon after, Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver was born.

At Oakwell Beer Spa, you can enjoy a memorable wellness experience in a cozy and luxurious setting. When you book a spa day, you get access to a private spa suite with a beer bath, infrared sauna, and rain shower. There’s also a relaxation lounge, where you can enjoy a zero-gravity massage experience. The self-serve taproom is the perfect place to enjoy a drink before and after your spa day.

A Modern Take on Ancient Rituals

These spa traditions have lasted for centuries for a simple reason: the body benefits from them. Heat, water, gentle aromas, and rest create a sense of safety that allows the nervous system to slow down. While the details of these spa traditions vary by culture, the intention is similar.

Oakwell Beer Spa brings these elements together in a modern setting designed for recovery and ease:

• Beer baths provide deep warmth without the dryness of traditional heat therapies.
• Infrared therapy supports relaxation and circulation through gentle, consistent heat.
• Zero Gravity Massage allows the body to fully rest during a full-body massage, reducing pressure on the spine and joints.

Choosing the Experience That Fits You

Every culture and person has its own journey to calm. Some people prefer intense heat, while others enjoy gentle warmth or skin-focused care more.

If you’re looking for deep relaxation that supports both the body and mind, Oakwell Beer Spa offers a uniquely balanced experience with several spa packages to choose from. If you live in Denver or are planning a vacation, book a spa day for the perfect way to recharge.