The inspiration for BierBath Beerspa and Alehouse in Sykesville, Maryland, began when one of its three owners tried a bier bath in Iceland. He discovered that the wellness practice—which involves taking a therapeutic soak in craft beer ingredients—was popular in several European countries as a ritual to detoxify, rejuvenate and nourish the skin and hair.
While there are three other beer spas in the U.S., BierBath, which opened in December 2023, is the only one in the mid-Atlantic, and the only beer spa in the states that has both a spa and alehouse.
The convivial alehouse, marked by warm yellow walls and subtle nods to its rubber ducky logo, has the requisite bar, plus a lounge seating area featuring cast-iron tubs converted into mini sofas. Family-friendly board games line a nearby shelf.
As for the spa, two soaking rooms offer a large single tub ($100 for one person; $180 for two). A third room has two tubs ($210 for two individuals; $240 for four friends). All have house music piped in, or the option of pairing your phone with a Bluetooth speaker to enjoy your own playlist as you kick back in a pleasant-smelling, warm cocktail of hops, barley and Epsom salts. Swimsuits are required.
After a 40-minute soak, enjoy 10 minutes (or less, if you prefer) in the infrared sauna, followed by a refreshing rain shower. All baths include beer, wine, sangria or another beverage to imbibe as you unwind.
The rotating craft beer selection features an array of local, national and international brews. Order a flight of local beers to discover breweries you might wish to visit in the area. (If available, try Ghost of the Ice Cream Man, a delicious stout from Monocacy Brewing Co.)
The food menu is a cut above the usual pub fare with dishes such as German bratwurst topped with rich truffle sauce, tangy Dijon wine mustard and caramelized onions, or the chivito Uruguayan sandwich stuffed with bacon, honey smoked ham, seasoned short rib and melted mozzarella. // BierBath Beerspa and Alehouse, 1213 Liberty Road, B-4, Sykesville, Maryland, 443-398-8189