Oregon beer spa wants to soothe what ales you
"That is a spa I could finally get my husband to agree to visit," said Mashable Lifestyle Editor Stephanie Buck.
Truly, spas and semi-public bath houses aren't for everyone. But one in particular is attempting to customize the experience.
Hop in the Spa of Sisters, Oregon, offers massages, body polishing and other classic spa treatments — all centered around and containing beer.
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The spa, owned and operated by massage therapist Sally Champa, follows successful beer-based spas in Europe, reports The New School. Bathing in beer has been marketed overseas to benefit skin's cleanliness and texture, though no major studies have confirmed such claims. The spa appears to be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Each session starts with a pint of beer in the lounge (the spa works exclusively with Oregon's Deschutes Brewery to provide beer and hops) before guests split off for individual treatments.
Relax in an herbal hops body wrap, enjoy a foot massage with hops- and brew-infused oil, and soak in a cedar tub filled with microbrew. The brew itself can include ingredients high in nutrients like selenium, magnesium and B vitamins, though these nutrients vary from beer to beer.
Media director Mike Boyle tells Mashable, "This is the model for a nation chain of 'MBIS,' or Micro Brew-Inspired Spas." He adds the spa is opening a beer garden in May, where people can enjoy a pretzel and a pint after treatments. He also says "Hop in the Bath" products will soon be available on the spa's website.
The treatments range in price, capping at $125.
You might have thought a natural buzz was good enough when it comes to massages but if your significant other is a brew geek, it's an anniversary date you'd both enjoy.
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Sarah Spigelman Richter is a contributor to Mashable's Food channel. Sarah covers everything edible, from the food industry to D.I.Y. recipes. She was previously the community manager for Tastemade NYC and her writing has been seen on The Today Show's food blog, Refinery 29, the Food Network, and Gothamist. She has also developed recipes for Tabasco and other nationally recognized brands and has blogged for 5 years at "Fritos and Foie Gras." Sarah is obsessed with "Orphan Black" and chili-cheese Fritos and is still depressed that Loehmann's closed.
