You can swim naked in a vat of beer with unlimited booze on tap in Iceland

You can swim naked in a vat of beer with unlimited booze on tap in Iceland

‘So for this you should be naked,’ says my spa assistant, Fridrika.

I’m about to step into a 280 litre tub made of Kambala wood filled with a combination of young beer, brewers yeast and hops.

This is the beer bath at Bjorbodin Beer Spa in Arskogssandur, Northern Iceland.

It’s the brainchild of the Bragi family, who founded Kaldi, the first microbrewery in the country, and it attracts couples who can share a bath, men on their stag dos, fans of beer and anyone who loves a spa.


You can come just for the beer bath, their restaurant and bar or for a brewery tour but I used the main spa as well as the tub.



I begin by showering (no swimsuits allowed), before heading to huge outdoor hot tubs (thankfully swimsuits allowed).

It’s about zero degrees and I soak in the water-filled tubs, looking up at the stars and out at the Kotlufjall and Krossafjall mountains, admiring Boggvistadarfjall Island, the town of Dalvik and a hint of the Northern Lights.

Then it’s on to a sauna shaped like a beer barrel and an infra red sauna.

The main event is, of course, bobbing around in beer like an old cigarette butt.

The beer bath – the spa choice for those who want to get hoppy (Picture: Yvette Caster)

Fridrika leads me to a small room a bit like a cabin, with wooden steps leading up to a huge wooden bath, fashioned to look like a barrel, with a standard beer barrel and tap beside it.

After giving me my instructions – get naked, pour the beer like this, press the buzzer for help – I’m left to my own devices for 25 minutes.

The water looks like a muddy puddle, white bubbles on top, flecked with green bits of hops.

I clamber in – the contents warm even for me (my general preference is ‘hotter than the sun’).

I can’t smell much beer. You’re not supposed to drink the bath water but of course I do. It’s not unpleasant – like weak, flowery, soapy beer.

There’s no alcohol in the bath though – the young beer hasn’t fermented.

I try beer from the barrel – Kaldi’s Christmas offering.

My first go results in 90% head.

It still tastes ok, with biscuit-coloured foam and a bronze hue, but the bath is so hot I’d rather have water.

I buzz for Fridrika, who pours my second pint. The most she’s seen anyone drink within the allotted time here is nine, which sounds like a challenge if you ask me.

The hot tubs had spectacular views and beer holders on the side, of course (Picture: Bjorbodin Beer Spa)

I fully submerge myself in the tub, as the contents are supposed to be great for your hair, skin and nails.

I’m advised not to shower for three to five hours to get the benefit of the Vitamin B, protein, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium in the brewers yeast, the antioxidant properties of the hops and the softening properties of the young beer.

After the bath I’m led up a soft, white carpeted staircase to lie wrapped in a sheet and blanket in a dark room with a few twinkly lights and your classic spa relaxation music.



I feel very calm but I also smell like I’ve been on a bender. Thankfully I don’t feel sticky.

After 25 minutes’ relaxation, I’m taken back to the small communal women’s changing room then, after dressing, head to the lounge and restaurant.

They serve fish and chips, chicken wings and deep fried Camembert, with a classic burger costing £16.20 (I found food expensive everywhere in Northern Iceland – even the supermarkets – so this isn’t too bad).

Fridrika brings me a flight of Kaldi beers all from the tap, unfiltered.

A (beer) flight of fancy (Picture: Yvette Caster)

Their 5% blonde lager is the most popular in Iceland. Gold and bitter, I’m not a fan as it’s very sour.

Their 5% dark smells and tastes like coffee, while the 6.7% chocolate porter smells like toffee and tastes like sugary black coffee.

The 6% IPA is my favourite – a light gold with sweet aromas of tropical fruits.

The 6% black IPA smells like treacle and is the richest, while the 4.7% wheat beer smells of Christmassy fruits and spices.

Another not in the flight, Stinnings Kaldi, is a popular choice. It’s made with Arctic Angelica, which one local told me was a natural Viagra.

After my beer spa experience, as directed, I didn’t wash the concoction off – postponing a shower til the next morning.

The skin on my face felt reasonably soft but, as it’s not prone to dryness, the difference wasn’t dramatic. The skin issues I have – rosacea and the odd spot – were no worse but no better.


My hair felt quite soft but lacked the glacial shine I dream of – it pretty much looked the same.

As an experience, though, this was great fun and certainly unusual. It’s perfect for a beer-mad couple.

Also it’s much less sticky than filling your bath with warm Stella.

What else to do in Northern Iceland

There’s stunning views in Akureyri – no filters required (Picture: Yvette Caster)

Swim in Akureyri swimming pool

For £7 you can swim in large heated outdoor pools, hot tubs and plunge pools.

You have to shower naked in communal showers first – or likely be told off, as I was.

Visit Akureyri church

You can’t miss this imposing structure, built in 1940.

It’s usually locked but if, you visit on Thursday before their noon service, you can admire the stained glass windows, organ and small model ship hanging from the ceiling.

Admire Akureyri’s art trail

A boat I spotted as I made my way round the art trail (Picture: Yvette Caster)

This walk is a beautiful way to see the area.

Pick up a map from the North Iceland tourist information centre, on the ground floor of the Hof Centre or print one off here.

Go in search of the Northern Lights

I was underwhelmed – they only looked exciting in my photos because the camera picks up colours differently to the eye.

So while I saw interesting but not stunning grey arcs and smudges, I’ve got fancy pics of green streaks.

Go with low expectations and a good camera, or the NorthernLights app for your phone.

Visit waterfalls, boiling mud pools and frozen lakes

Godafoss waterfall (Picture: Getty)

I went to Godafoss waterfall, Namafjall and Lake Myvatn – alien landscapes with lava formations, steam and colourful skies.


As a Game Of Thrones nerd I would also have enjoyed a tour of filming locations – this is north of The Wall country and THAT Jon and Ygritte cave scene was partly shot near Myvatn.

Swim in Myvatn Nature Baths

These geothermally-heated pools are surrounded by stunning views.

In winter they’re open from noon to 10pm, entry costs £29 and there’s also a cafe.

Where to stay and how to get there Hotel Kea (Picture: Superbreak) I travelled with Superbreak on their Incredible Iceland package. This includes three nights at Hotel Kea, return flights and airport transfers in Iceland as well as two excursions – Lake Myvatn Adventure – Land Of Fire And Ice and Search For The Northern Lights. Hotel Kea was small but stylish, with compact rooms and fancy TVs on which you could watch your Netflix and listen to Spotify. Their breakfast buffet included everything from traditional porridge and bacon and eggs to waffles. I flew from Bournemouth to Akureyri but you can fly from a choice of 16 airports until 15 March. The Incredible Iceland package costs from £399. Superbreak’s optional excursion to the beer spa costs an additional £88. Where to stay in Bournemouth I stayed at Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel. The hotel was within easy walking distance of the beach, and had a pool and gym. Spa access cost £8 per person and parking £10 per night. Rooms cost from £44.20 per night.

Top image: Getty

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