I must admit that when I found out that this was a thing, I was so excited and immediately booked…read more I didn't even take the time to learn about the health benefits.... BEER + SPA?? ADD TO CART!
It did not disappoint. This was definitely one of the coolest experiences for me. Came here with my boyfriend.
Here's how it goes down:
It's a small spa - there's one room with 2 baths (each sits 2 people) so make sure you honor your reservation time.
You get there and they take you to a locker room where you undress and put away your stuff. You can take your cellphone/camera into the bath area to take photos btw. The locker area also has a shower so you have that option but it's not mandatory. They give you towels, slippers and a sheet to cover yourself while you move to the bath area. You are naked but you can certainly wear a bathing suit if that makes you more comfortable or if you are doing this with a group of friends.
Then you go next door to the bath area. We were told it was an 800 year old room! They add hops and yeast to the water (I initially thought I'd be bathing in actual beer which on second thought, is probably not all that great) and you get in. There's a tap attached to the tub and you can drink all the Bernard beer you want! It was so nice and relaxing. The lights were dim, the water jets felt amazing. I didn't want it to end. But we booked a massage so it had to. The water turns off and you ring the bell and the staff member comes to get you.
Next, we were taken to a massage area with a heated bed. We were wrapped in blankets, given more beer and had a couple minutes to relax. Then we found out that the massages for 2 that we booked amounted to a total of 40 minutes so we had to split the time somehow. Not how I thought it'd go down but not a huge deal either - still a good deal for what I paid. I must mention that the staff member working (he was incredibly nice) appeared to be the only one there and he did everything - front desk, running the baths, and even the massages. So if you're looking for couples massages, it wouldn't be a side-by-side thing, they don't have the space anyway. The massage was very good - we each did 20 minutes.
Afterward, we were given a cute certificate of completion and some free beer to take home. They also had some great gifts available for purchase - beer shampoo and conditioner, beer bath salts, etc.
I know they have another location as well - not sure if things function the same way there.
Obviously, you can book this experience without a massage. And while the massage was nice, in retrospect, I think I'd prefer a longer bath - it was just that great.
This was actually a great deal - I paid $130 for 2 people with massages. Don't forget to tip!
MAKE SURE YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS! I made them online before I flew out - you have the option to pre-pay as well. Since it's a one room spa -- don't wait until the last minute!
I highly recommend this experience - so unique and relaxing.