GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – A centuries-old European wellness tradition has arrived in Glenwood Springs with the opening of Bohemian Bier Spa, where guests soak in beer ingredients designed to help rejuvenate the skin and body.
The spa, which opened in late March to early April, is owned by Dasha Balasova, who is from the Czech Republic where soaking in beer is prominent. Balasova said she has been trying to share the experience with the town for years.
“I originally grew up in my country with traditional beer spa wellness. So, I was thinking to bring something like that to Glenwood Springs, Colorado,” Balasova said.
Balasova said the practice is common in the Czech Republic.
“Almost every city in Prague has more than 20 beer spas, very popular, every city has it. It’s just a long-time tradition in Czech Republic. There are some in United States, but not too many. I was especially concentrating on to really doing it the right way in the Bohemian style. I wanted to really make sure that it is the tradition which I’m bringing to Glenwood Springs,” Balasova said.
Traditional practice with modern application
The tradition dates back to monks who used wort — a sugary liquid extracted from the mixing process when making beer — as a form of healing treatment.
“All of those have different medicinal aspects from anti-inflammatory to cellular repair. And they used to use it as a medicinal kind of surface healer. They would dip towels in it, and they would wrap it around wounds and things like that to help aid with healing and to keep infection away,” said Adrienne Neely, general manager at Bohemian Bier Spa.
Today, the spa offers a more modern version of the experience. Balasova said the ingredients include hops, malt and dried yeast, which are mixed with beer oil imported from the Czech Republic and one liter of beer.
According to the spa, the mixture starts with brewer’s yeast — a dried yeast rich in vitamin E — and barley, which contains silica to help deeply hydrate the skin. They then add hops, which they say provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. All of these ingredients are blended into a beer base, then poured into the hot water in the tub and circulated with the jets.
Common misconception
Balasova said customers often think they will bathe in beer, but that is not the case.
“A lot of customers, they think that they will have bath in the beer, but it’s not like that. The ingredients are from brewing, so that means we put in the hops, malt, dried yeast, which is mixed with the original imported from Czech Republic beer oil and one liter of beer,” Balasova explained.
Lisa Langer, the director of tourism for Visit Glenwood Springs, said she wanted to address the misconception.
“My first thought was to squash the impression that people are soaking in a vat of beer, because that was kind of a common misconception from a lot of people. They were, you know, what do you mean? We’re soaking in beer? Well, it’s a very small amount of beer, plus hops, plus dry yeast, plus the barley. So, it’s the ingredients that you would have in beer, and it’s super wonderful for your skin,” Langer said.
Adding to wellness destination
The spa has drawn curiosity from visitors and locals alike, adding another wellness experience to Glenwood Springs’ list of attractions.
“You come here, you relax, you have time, you put away your phone. You just really can connect with whoever, whomever you are relaxing with. And I think it’s a really great experience for anybody to have,” Langer said.
The Bohemian Bier Spa offers private beer bath sessions along with sauna and relaxation experiences. Neely said the spa provides a different environment.
“It’s a completely different environment. We offer a tradition that we really want you to experience. And we hope that when you leave, you’ve left the entire world outside for the hour and a half that you’re with us and let us take care of you,” Neely said.
The spa offers rooms with single and double tubs, a party room with four tubs and an ADA accessible room. Balasova said they have already seen interest from couples looking for a date night, people wanting to treat themselves or those seeking something unique to try on the Western Slope.
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