PRAGUE, Aug. 5 -- During his three-day stay in the Czech Republic, tourist Tony Eggink chose to spend half a day experiencing something both unusual and popular in a country renowned for its high-quality beer and rich brewing history: the beer spa.

"While I was studying the maps to see where we should go, beer spa popped up, which made me interested. So I did a search and then saw that beer spa was a thing," he said.

A fan of lagers and pilsners, Eggink and his friends visited the Original Beer Spa in downtown Prague, where they enjoyed a pint while soaking in warm oak tubs.

"It was very relaxing being able to go through the whole process. And then having the beer as well, which is very pleasant. It was probably the best spa I've ever done," Eggink said after a two-hour session.

"I feel a little bit more relaxed. My skin feels a little bit more rejuvenated," he added.

ANCIENT CONCEPT, FRESH EXPERIENCE

The concept of beer spas dates back thousands of years. According to the Original Beer Spa, people in ancient Egypt used ingredients from the beer brewing process for their therapeutic properties. The Czech Republic gave birth to the modern wellness trend by beer spas about 30 years ago.

Jaromir Pazout, who founded the Original Beer Spa in 2013, noted that his franchise business has expanded to three locations in the Czech capital and estimated that there are around 40 to 50 beer spas in the whole country, with up to 20 in Prague alone. Over time, beer spas have become a novel way to experience the country's rich beer culture, he added.

Pazout said, "The combination of the spa and beer became extremely popular over the last few years."

At one of his beer spas near Prague's Charles Square, guests can choose between two rooms: one with two oak tubs and the other featuring three tubs and a sauna. Each tub is filled with hot water at 37 degrees Celsius.

"Inside we put ingredients that are used for brewing a beer. All the vitamins, especially vitamin B, your skin will absorb," Pazout said, as he put hops and yeasts into the water.

While bathing, guests can enjoy the ambiance with music and relish light and dark beer directly from handy taps. They can then relax on a wheat hay bed, allowing their bodies to fully absorb the vitamins and extracts from the bath.

THRIVING TREND

According to Pazout, beer spas have recently surged in popularity in the Czech Republic and beyond, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swedish tourist Gustav Solder discovered beer spas through his friends who had previously visited Prague. "We booked it beforehand because we heard that a beer spa is something you need to try. It did not disappoint," Solder said. Impressed by this experience, Solder and his companions planned to book another session for its cooling and relaxing effects the following day.

Last year, Pazout's three beer spa locations in Prague received around 10,000 customers, with about 60 percent coming from European countries. He noted growing interest from Chinese tourists.

  - Xinhua