When thinking about Belgium, beer is probably the first thing that comes to mind. It’s a cliché, yes, but not without reason. In my humble opinion – and I might be a bit prejudiced as a Belgian – Belgian beers are the best in the world. No need to try and change my mind, because I won’t. Of course, you’re free to have your own opinion about this. No hard feelings. Just be aware of the fact that I’ll judge you. And with me all those who like to spend hours in Belgium’s famous beer cafés.
Drinking a good beer is an experience in itself. Some might find a beer less refined than a glass of wine but truth be told, they’re wrong. Just like when tasting a fine wine, drinking a glass of beer puts all your senses at work. Your taste buds, your smell, your sight… Maybe even your hearing as the rumor in a café is, after all, part of the experience. However, if that’s not enough, if you’d want to take things one step further, you could even bathe in beer.
In Eastern Europe, beer baths have been a thing for quite a while now. Germany and the Czech Republic have been welcoming beer enthusiasts for ages. In Western Europe, however, even though we have some of the best beers in the world on offer, the concept only just took off. It shouldn’t come as a surprise but it’s the Belgian capital Brussels who welcomes the country’s two first beer spas.
1. Two locations
Things have been a bit delayed because of Covid-19 but now that some of the restrictions have been lifted, Bath & Barley was finally able to open its doors on Saturday the first of May. Located just off the Grand Place, it makes for the perfect pause while visiting the city. And even though Good Beer Spa hasn’t opened just yet, it’s scheduled to do so on June the first. This one’s set close to Place Madou, right next to the financial heart of the city. Did anyone say after work me-time?
2. But why?
After all this, you might be wondering why on Earth you’d want to take a beer bath. Well, first of all, you get the chance to drink some beers too. Secondly, it’s good for your body. “Hop and beer, in general, are full of nourishing nutrients and vitamins. Over 2.000 years ago, Egyptians and Romans already used beer in their cosmetics and appreciated its relaxing and aromatic properties. Beer spas already have a long history in the Baltics and now, they’re gaining in popularity everywhere”, Benedict Biebuyck from Good Beer Spa told Le Soir. And, let’s be honest, you can’t experience Belgian beer in a better way, can you?
