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History of beer spas: where beer wellness comes from
Beer spas today seem like a modern wellness trend, an original idea for a trip or a birthday present. In fact, they are a tradition with surprisingly deep historical roots. The journey from the first baths in beer liquid to today's modern beer spa is full of interesting twists, long pauses and unexpected returns.
From Antiquity to the Middle Ages
Spas as such were practiced in India four thousand years ago. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese also made extensive use of the beneficial effects of hot spa springs. Beer as an ingredient in baths is even older.
It is believed that the method of making beer was discovered by the ancient Sumerians, who were already growing grain in the 4th millennium BC, and apparently encountered the principle of fermentation during its poor storage in clay vessels into which water had leaked, resulting in a drink with a pleasant, intoxicating taste.
Beer was brewed from available cereals by Germans, Celts, Slavs and other nations, basically in places where grape cultivation was not widespread. In general, beer was brewed not only from barley, but also from wheat, oats, spelt, millet and rye. In European conditions, especially in northern Europe, beer was the most widespread and cheapest alcoholic beverage with easy and quick production.
The year 768 and the key role of hops
A key moment in the history of beer baths was the moment when hops began to be added to the brewing process, as it is today considered one of the most important ingredients in the entire procedure.
The first written record of flavoring beer with hops dates back to 768, in a document of the Frankish king Pepin III the Short. This is the first recorded use of hops as an ingredient for flavoring beer. Since hops are an essential part of a beer bath, it is clear that classic beer baths may have their roots after this date.
However, it is important to add that hops as a preservative for preserving beer began to be used in some European monasteries from the end of the 8th century, but it did not reach wider use in brewing, for example in Germany, until several centuries later.
Long hiatus and return in 1997
After its medieval and early modern heyday, beer wellness disappeared from public consciousness for a long time. The historical lineage of beer spas became less and less evident over the following centuries, almost disappearing.
The real modern comeback came only at the end of the twentieth century. It only experienced its comeback in 1997 in a small monastery brewery in Neuzelle, Brandenburg. The modern beer spa thus originated at the end of the 20th century in the Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle brewery in Germany. Since then, beer treatments have been used all over the world.
How beer wellness spread across the country
After the opening of the first spa in Chodová Planá, a rapid expansion followed throughout the country. The increase in popularity was largely due to the operators of small private breweries, who set up beer spas as part of their service offerings. Beer baths are often sought after by so-called beer tourists.
The Czech Republic is a promised land for beer baths. The reason is the natural connection with a long brewing tradition, the high quality of domestic hops, and a strong culture associated with the consumption and production of beer.
One of the most modern beer spas in the Czech Republic is the Bernard Beer Spa , located in the beautiful historic center of Prague.
Bernard Beer Spa and its place in Czech tradition
Bernard Beer Spa continues the Czech tradition of beer spas, which in less than two decades has become an integral part of the domestic wellness industry.
At the heart of the whole experience are premium ingredients. Instead of regular beer, the baths use a special, tailor-made blend enriched with active brewing ingredients in optimal proportions.
It's ideal to complement a warm bath with a professional massage . The heat from the bath first relaxes the muscles and increases blood flow, making the subsequent massage much more effective and able to go deeper into the tissues.
Treat yourself to a well-deserved rest, experience this unique Czech tradition firsthand and book your appointment or delight your loved ones by purchasing a gift voucher on our website.