Beer spa or ‘beer bathing’ has become a new trend in European countries. Although India is yet to catch on to this trend, it is important to know about its benefits if you wish to try it on your next holiday abroad.
In 2012, our television sets were flooded with an ad for a shampoo that contained beer. The target audience? Men. The marketing was spot on and the tagline was: “Cheers to men’s hair”. Not just men, but women too were attracted to the ad as it promised soft, bouncy and silky hair.
This was the time when we too were obsessed with washing our hair with beer to achieve the desired density and softness.
Fast forward to 2024, all eyes are on ‘beer spas’, an emerging trend that is slowly but steadily taking the world by storm.
So, what is this “beer bath” trend all about? It’s exactly what it sounds like. You submerge yourself in a tub full of beer and soak up all the goodness of the malt, yeast, and hops – the main ingredients. And frankly, it’s like combining the best of both worlds: spa relaxation and beer.
While India is not far behind in adopting emerging beauty and health trends, it is yet to realise the full potential of beer spas and turn it into a booming business. As far as the western world is concerned, they are already on top of their game.
Before we talk about beer, here are a few things to consider
Walk the path of memories
According to Prague-based Spa Beerland, the world’s largest beer spa, “the first beer bath was recorded around two thousand years ago.”
“Beer baths, including internal use, have long been used in folk medicine – our grandmothers and great-grandmothers recommended brewer’s yeast for many ailments. It is a by-product of beer production and has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times,” states the official website of Spa Beerland.
The tradition of beer baths has been around for centuries in Eastern Europe. The earliest known beer bath dates back to 921 AD, when King Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), had his servants take cold baths using wort (the liquid extracted from the mashing process during beer making) from local monasteries.
This is probably why there are so many beer spa venues in Prague (of course, cheap beer is also a reason).
viral trend on social media
This trend gained a lot of popularity thanks to social media. There are about 25 thousand posts of #beerspa on Instagram alone. In every post, you can see people dipping themselves in wooden tubs filled with beer and sometimes holding mugs to take a sip. So, while beer works wonders on your skin, it also helps improve your mood, one sip at a time. It is truly an immersive experience!
Check out some videos below:
According to the report, the world’s first commercial beer spa opened in the Czech Republic in 2006, named Chodovar Family Brewery. Since then, many such locations have opened around the world, resulting in a growing health trend around the world.
What’s in it for the skin?
This discussion is not without reason! Dr. Ruben Bhasin Pasi, Consultant Dermatologist, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, says that ‘bathing with beer’ may seem unusual, but it has many benefits for the skin.
“Beer is made from malt, yeast and hops. These ingredients contain a lot of protein. Antioxidants, VitaminsAnd Mineral Which are good for the skin. Beer’s yeast Providing moisture And Hydrate Softens the skin. The antioxidants found in hops can act as a shield for your skin and slow down the aging process. Even the natural acids in beer can act as a shield for the skin Mild Exfoliant “It helps get rid of dead skin cells and encourages smoother, more radiant skin,” he says.
This also relieves stress And opens your pores, and all these benefits together make your skin younger.
Even the distinctive aroma of the beer helps Boost your mood And Relaxes your bodyObviously!
What about the alcohol content?
So, when you visit a wellness center for a beer spa, it’s not (always) real beer. It’s a ‘beer-like concoction’. The Good Beer Spa, located in Brussels, mentions on its official website, “Our beer baths are filled with hot water infused with beer, hops, malt and other natural ingredients. This unique blend of ingredients provides a variety of health benefits and a relaxing experience.”
Furthermore, celebrity aesthetician and co-founder of Beauty by BIE, Dinyar WorkingBoxwala says, “The alcohol content in beer is relatively low (4-6 percent) compared to spirits, but it can be very drying on the skin if not rinsed off properly. For most people, this is not a major concern, especially when balanced with the moisturizing and nourishing components of beer. However, people with very dry or sensitive skin should be cautious and dilute the beer with water before bathing. This is what most spas do.”
Risks and precautions
Although beer baths can have many benefits, it is important to consider the following precautions suggested by Dinyar WorkingBoxwala and Dr. Pasi:
- Allergies: Make sure you’re not allergic to any of the beer’s ingredients, such as hops or yeast.
- Skin Sensitivity: Do a patch test to see how your skin reacts, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- alcohol content: Although the alcohol content in beer is relatively low, it can still cause irritation for some individuals. Rinsing with water after a beer bath can help reduce this discomfort.
- Proximity: Beer baths should be limited to once every two weeks to avoid any possible drying effects caused by the alcohol.
DIY beer bath at home
Though the trend is slowly spreading in many countries including India, beer spa centres may not be readily available in your city or town. Now, what do you do in such a situation? Make your own beer bath at home, and here is how you should do it:
- Have a liter or two of beer, preferably organic and unfiltered
- Warm bath water with a few drops of relaxing essential oils (like chamomile or lavender) (of course it should smell nice)
- Soak in a beer bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the ingredients nourish your skin while you relax
- After soaking, get rid of any residue by rinsing the area thoroughly with clean water
Beer bath scene in India
India hasn’t yet joined the ‘beer bath’ trend, mainly because it isn’t a beer drinking nation like Europe (and beer is cheaper there). tbh) Though several breweries have come up across India, having a wellness centre dedicated to beer spa is still a tough task. india today We contacted various clinics and spas to get information on this, but did not get any specific information from them. While the practice is not entirely new (it has historical traces), its resurgence thanks to social media indicates that this trend may eventually be adopted not only by India, but also many other countries around the world.