Beer (pivo) has been a cornerstone of Czech culture for over a thousand years. Brewing dates back to 993 AD at Břevnov Monastery in Prague and later flourished in cities like Plzeň (Pilsen) and České Budějovice (Budweis). Plzeň gave the world its first golden lager in 1842, and Czechs haven’t looked back since. Today, they lead the world in beer consumption—averaging around 133 litres per person annually.
Rooted in mediaeval folk remedies, beer baths gained popularity in the 2000s. You don’t soak in actual beer but rather in a warm mix of brewer’s yeast, hops, malt, and mineral water at 37–38°C.
Most spas include an unlimited beer tap next to the tub, and locals believe these baths help with skin hydration, circulation, fatigue, and insomnia. In Czechia, a beer is often cheaper than water—so why not bathe in it too?
