On a recent trip to Bruges, I was walking back to my hotel after dinner, and saw a sign for Bath & Barley - a spa where you can bathe in beer. Now, I think it's important to note that I wasn't a complete stranger to the idea. I'd seen videos of people bathing in beer in Iceland, and have always wanted to try it out for myself, so when I found I had a free afternoon the next day, and that there were time slots available, I booked an impromptu hour in a beer tub.
Where do you go to bathe in beer?
The spa I went to was called Bath & Barley, a company with two locations - one in Brussels and one in Bruges. They position themselves as being a "uniquely Belgian experience", offering private spa rooms for each booking (so you're not bathing with strangers), luxury handcrafted deep oak tubs, and unlimited beer on tap for the duration of your booking.
Are you actually bathing in beer?
Yes, and no. The spa works with Brussels Beer Project to provide brewer's yeast, hops, and barley to hot, clean water - which means you have all of the positive properties of beer, but none of the negatives, like alcohol and CO2. The mixture provides your skin with essential oils and vitamin B, and you also get to choose your own aromatic hop scrub - mine smelled very citrusy! While the spa definitely smells herbal and hop-y, I wouldn't necessarily say it smells like beer.
Do you wear a bathing suit in the tub?
The choice is yours - the rooms are completely private once your session starts, and locked from the inside, so you're definitely alone and able to bathe naked if you'd like (I did). However, some of the bigger rooms are used for private groups, so perhaps if you're going with friends, then work to your own comfort levels! The spa does recommend if you're going to wear a bathing suit, to wear a dark one to avoid the risk of any staining.
What's the beer like to drink?
The beer on tap is a Belgian Estaminet pilsner, but the spa does also sell flights if you'd like to elevate your experience! I stuck with the draught beer, just for the experience, but I was very tempted by the all-female produced breweries flight they had on offer. They do also offer gluten free beer flights, as well as water and soft drinks.
How much does it cost?
My session in Bruges, for a single person in a single tub for an hour was €99. It's €139 for two people in one tub, so the more people you have in the tub, the cheaper it is (the tubs are huge, they definitely can fit more than one. I would check the website for exact pricing.
Do you recommend bathing in beer?
Absolutely! I always look for interesting and unique cultural experiences when I travel abroad, and this was such a fun way to experience Belgian culture and spend a rainy afternoon in Bruges. The staff at the spa were so friendly and helpful, and the entire experience felt super clean (they explained how they deep clean the tubs between sessions), and calming. I was so surprised by how soft my skin felt after the experience, and I truly think that this is a super fun activity that everybody would enjoy.
If you liked this article, make sure to check out my Ultimate Bruges Guide to check out all of the fantastic things to do in this beautiful Belgian city!
And make sure to follow along at @elise.abroad for more inspiration on fun and unique travel experiences!
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