Trying a ‘Beer Bath’ at the Grand Wellness Centre
In Brantford, Ontario, the ‘Grand Wellness Centre’ and the ‘Rambling Road’ beer farm are ‘brewing up’ something special.
The Grand Wellness Centre is incorporating one of Rambling Road’s local craft beers to create a unique twist to the traditional spa treatment…a beer soak! I was SO intrigued that I just had to visit the spa and farm to get the full story – from brew to bath.
Trying a ‘Beer Bath’ at the Grand Wellness Centre
I walked into the Grand Wellness Centre bright and early with coffee in hand, unsure of what to expect but excited for the morning of rejuvenation ahead. I was pleasantly surprised to be lead on a tour of the building, which dates back to the town’s more industrial days. Today the spa gives off a ‘rustic chic’ ambiance with original wood and brick accents, offering the more observant guest some architectural insights into its history.
After a detoxifying and relaxing rest in the infrared sauna, I was led to the “beer bath” treatment room. I walked in and momentarily was whisked away to Scandinavia (or somewhere more exotic than South Western Ontario).
Before me sat a gorgeous wooden claw foot styled bathtub, filled with sudsy warm water, Rambling Road’s beer and buds of hops sprinkled on top. The room contained thematic accents of barley filled mason jars and rustic wine barrels; it was simply divine!
“But doesn’t it smell like beer”, you ask? Surprisingly no, since the beer and hops are diluted with water, you do not smell like beer. Yet the concoction still contains just the right combination to detoxify and nourish your skin. After 20 plus minutes of luxuriously soaking in the tub, my skin felt SO smooth and amazing! In fact, it remained silky and soft for the days to follow – I didn’t even need to moisturize. I was also told that the treatment is great for your hair, though I decided not to get mine wet.
I know some of you are probably secretly wondering, “so…did you try drinking the bath?”…
No, I can certainly say I did not drink the bath water.. *laughs* ..and I wouldn’t recommend you try it. But since you asked, the treatment does come with a complimentary pint of the craft beer you are soaking in (or a glass of wine if you prefer). * Note: if your treatment is before 11:00 am the spa cannot serve alcohol yet.
Once I finished my bath, I showered off and dressed to complete my visit with the halotheraphy and foot detox treatments. The salt cave experience is just as its name implies: The room is a dreamy space lit with salt lamps and equipped with a halogenerator, which filters the air with subtle humidity and salt – a perfect combination for respiratory detoxification. The temperature is slightly lower than you would expect, so blankets and slippers are offered for your convenience. The salt caves were incredibly relaxing, so it’s no surprise that it can help those who experience anxiety. The foot detox carries on the salt therapy trend, offering more opportunities for detoxi as you rest your feet on heated blocks of salt. The treatment supposedly combats insomnia, can help improve circulation, and even aid in kidney function and arthritis symptoms.
I left the Grand Wellness Centre feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the world. Ironically after all of that detox, I was now headed to sample some beer at the Rambling Roads Brew Farm.
Rambling Roads Brewery is located in LaSalette, ON, just 30 minutes via scenic backroads from Brantford. Not only do I love to try out new craft beers, but knowing that I had just soaked in one made me want to sample Rambling Roads that much more.
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The farm is not your typical rural Ontario cash crop incorporation. Owner John Picards has grown and sold peanuts for years throughout Ontario, but recently made the jump to hops production. More than that, Rambling Roads has made history as the first and only brewery farm in Ontario and their Dakota Pale Ale (DPA) is the first potato beer in Ontario. I’m a sucker for the unique and strange, so the potato beer had me at hello. To my surprise (and delight) it tasted similar to most lighter ales, so I headed home with a 6-pack in tow.
The verdict of my ‘brew to bath’ experience is out:
Whether you’re a beer lover or simply want to try something new, the Grand’s “beer bath” hydrotherapy treatment was a win… so why not hit the ‘Rambling’ road over to Brantford and try it out yourself?
You can reach the Grand Wellness Centre via their contact page. Be sure to let them know I sent you for the VIP treatment 😉
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What do you think, would you try a beer bath treatment?
Let me know in the comments below!
A special thank you to the Grand Wellness Centre for your superb service and for treating me to a morning of luxury! In the spirit of transparency, this post was sponsored. As always, my writing is representative of my own experiences.