Denver’s The Beer Spa is your new social wellness retreat
Is your body craving a spa day but your taste buds are lobbying for a beer? Have it both ways at The Beer Spa.
The first of its kind in the state, this Five Points wellness destination comprises a self-serve taproom, a row of private suites and a massage room, to name just a few of its many amenities. Basically, everything you need to have a hopping good time.
Officially open since February 2021, the concept is the result of two very smart, well-traveled and beer-loving entrepreneurs. Damien Zouaoui and Jessica French, who met while working corporate jobs in New York City in 2016, soon realized the work just wasn’t fulfilling. As a result, the couple began brainstorming new and exciting business ideas.
“We knew we could do something bigger and better,” says French. “And we knew there were a lot of concepts out in the world that hadn’t been brought to the U.S. yet.”
Cue the epic tale of a young and hungry couple in love who quit their jobs, sold everything, packed a few bags and set out for, well, pretty much anywhere. The goal was simply to find the coolest, newest business idea, and 14 months and 25 countries later, there it was: amid the breathtaking Polish Alps was Zouaoui and French’s first experience with a beer spa.
“It was one of the most interesting yet relaxing experiences we ever had,” says French. “There was a sauna, beer bath and free-flowing keg. I was thinking, ‘This could be it—to combine things that people love in such a unique way.’”
With spas now on the brain, the couple continued exploring spa culture around the world until finally landing in Denver in early 2019—a far-from-coincidental end to their journey. “We decided on Denver without ever being here before because all of our research pointed in this direction,” says French. “It has the biggest craft beer scene, incredible support for small businesses and a huge wellness culture.”
Work on the project began quickly, from scouting out the ideal spot to completely transforming the space. What was once a few vacant, white-walled rooms soon became an oasis marked by jewel tones, wood accents and tasteful greenery and decor, inviting guests to “relax differently.”
“We wanted to create an experience,” says French. “It’s one thing I think most day spas in the U.S. are missing—they’re very transactional.” The couple’s main goal was to create a modern spa that also functions as a social space— and to avoid the stuffy, pretentious feel of a day spa and the notion that spas are only for women.
“Traditional decor and ambiance aren’t very accommodating to all genders,” says French. “We think everyone deserves a space to feel comfortable and relax. A lot of our design elements were specifically chosen to not be too masculine or feminine.”
So what can you expect from a trip to The Beer Spa? French summarizes it as essentially a day spa and craft beer bar combined, but you don’t have to necessarily love both to enjoy it. In fact, many folks looking for good beer and a cool place to hang will stop in off the street to use the self-pour taproom, featuring a different brewery partner each month, a house gose, cider, red wine and rosé, plus kombucha and nonalcoholic beverages, too.
Beyond the taproom lie the private “beer therapy” rooms, each containing an infrared sauna, rain shower and beer bath, where you’re encouraged to detox, cold rinse to boost circulation (a shock to the system but a pertinent part of the process), then spend the remainder of your 90-minute session soaking. The tubs are deep and while you’re not sitting in yeast-y water, you are essentially in a giant teacup with hops and malted barley, releasing all kinds of skin- and spirit-beneficial goodness into the water.
After your soak and if you’ve splurged for the add-on, you’ll walk your robed-and-slippered self over to the zero-gravity massage chairs to squeeze any remaining stress out of you. Small touches—like having a big, exceptionally soft blanket draped over you—make the experience that much more serene. Then, once you’re gently welcomed back to reality, you’re invited to hang out in the taproom and peruse the retail shelves, especially if you fancied any of the therapy room’s cosmetic mini bar products.
So whether you’re looking for a romantic celebration spot, a self-care day or a bachelorette party, there’s never a bad time to book a service here. Even just sampling a rotating selection of local beers in a relaxed atmosphere or stopping in for a quick massage is sure to solidify The Beer Spa as your new favorite place to be.
