- Title: Barley bubbles: beer spa opens in Brussels
- Date: 13th May 2021
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MAY 12, 2021) (REUTERS) BULGARIAN WEB DESIGNER, ALEKSANDRA TARCHINI, JOINING HER HUSBAND, ITALIAN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, ROCCO TARCHINI, IN BATHTUB / BELGIAN YOGA TEACHER, DORIEN DIERCKX, IN OTHER BATHTUB DIERCKX IN BATHTUB ROCCO TARCHINI SERVING HIMSELF A PINT OF BEER FROM TAP ROCCO TARCHINI SERVING HIMSELF A PINT OF BEER / DIERCKX DRINKING BEER D
- Embargoed: 27th May 2021 09:57
- Keywords: Alcohol Beer Belgian Belgium Brewing Dermatologist Health Well-being benefits jacuzzi relaxation skincare spa tourism
- Location: BRUSSELS AND BONHEIDEN, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS AND BONHEIDEN, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001ECSNPEH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Belgians will soon be able to relax in hop and barley as a new beer spa experience is about to open for the first time in the country's capital.
The "Good Beer Spa" in Brussels was founded by 42-year-olds Benedict Biebuyck and his girlfriend Ana Bordonada, after trying one in Prague in the Czech Republic two or three years ago.
"We really enjoyed it and we started to check how to do it and look for a (place) to build one here in Brussels," said Bordonada, who is originally from Zaragoza, Spain, and who moved to Belgium in 2006.
Biebuyck prepares the mixture for the jacuzzi: hop, yeast and malt combined with beer. He mixes it and then pours it into the jacuzzi, where clients will sit for 45 minutes.
Ahead of the June 4 opening, they invited a few neighbours who said they enjoyed the smells and the relaxing atmosphere.
"I heard that it really rejuvenates the skin so, who knows, it might make me look 10 years younger! And also I like the smell, It's very natural, I feel very much in nature," Aleksandra Tarchini, a 34 year-old web designer from Bulgaria, told Reuters.
Dermatologists, however, may disagree with the skin benefits. Vera Rogiers, the head of the department of dermato-cosmetology at the Free University of Brussels' faculty of medicine told Reuters that she would be more concerned about sitting in a bath for 45 minutes as it breaks the barrier function of the skin.
"These substances, these natural products contain quite a bit of active substances but it's not just a question of active substances, the concentration plays a very important role," she said. "That concentration is extremely low, so if you then go and sit in the mixture with a low concentration, it does nothing for the skin."
"But if you have a bit of fun, what is against it?" Rogiers asked.
Biebuyck and Bordonada now look forward to receiving the public next month. Customers will be able to book a private jacuzzi for up to two people for 115 euros ($139.10). The price includes access to unlimited draft beer served from the tap.
(Production: Bart Biesemans, Christian Levaux, Clement Rossignol) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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