Beer Bath and a Burger

Árskógssandur is a small community in northern Iceland with less than 150 residents. This tiny village packs a punch with notable entertainment. The highlight of Árskógssandur is the Kaldi Beer Spa. Located two kilometers off the main road, one could easily miss this frothy treat. Blanketed in snow, it’s a lonely looking landscape sitting quietly along the dramatic Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland. As my driver approached, I was brimming with excitement in anticipation of partaking in my first beer spa experience.  

Lonely swing set in the barren snowscape outside the beer spa cabin

I figured beer spas were a new and trendy activity, possibly birthed from the hipster or similar new age scene. In actuality, beer spas have been around for hundreds of years, exploding in popularity in the Middle Ages with soakers enjoying the benefits of antioxidants and nutrients offered up by beer’s most basic ingredients.

The cabin-shaped facility housed a warm, rustic dining area, beer bar, and of course the spa rooms. Guests are encouraged to soak in the outdoor hot tubs prior to their scheduled beer bath. The first time I heard “outdoor” I wondered if it was only for the summer or warmer seasons. As it so happens, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor sub-freezing temperatures prevent guests from using the outdoor tubs. I questioned repeatedly the process for going outside without a robe (since these were only provided for the indoor tubs). I soon learned that it’s perfectly normal to step outdoors in freezing temperatures in a bikini to enjoy a warm pool or sauna.  

Cabin where beer spa rooms, bar, and dining area are located (outdoor hot tubs on the right)

In the private beer bath room, there was a shiny draft spigot with an empty glass beckoning from on top of a wooden barrel keg for spa-goers to drink “as much as you want.” The host said that the ingredients in the bath are healthy for skin and hair. As I was laying in the beer bath happily drinking a pint of beer, I combed my fingers through my hair and could feel every strand. Maybe it was the bath (or maybe it was the beer), but I could feel my skin and hair soften in the bath made with hops, yeast, and fragrant oils.

Kaldi beer bath filled with all-you-can-drink keg

After a relaxing spa treatment, it was time to eat and drink. I opted for the house burger and a flight of Kaldi beer. The burgers are made from locally-raised beef. The meat is tender, light and loose, unlike typical compacted patties with a factory-made feel. The ingredients were simple with grilled onions, cheese, slice of bacon, and a tangy yet familiar sauce resembling ketchup and mayonnaise with a hint of barbecue. It was hands down the best burger I’ve had and a testament that healthy, well-cared for meat tastes delicious.

House burger at Kaldi Brewery beer spa

Because of limited hours in winter and the timing of my one-night trip, I wasn’t able to tour the Kaldi brewery. The next best thing was to sample several of their brews. After my blissful baths and bottomless beers, the tasting was a blur in that I do not recall the different styles. I tried six varieties normally included in a typical beer flight, moving from lighter to darker. The only detail I recall is the last one I tried was 9% ABV. The beers were all smooth and refreshing. Even the 9% went down easy.

Kaldi beer flight at beer spa dining area

I imagine the high-quality taste of Icelandic beers is in large part due to the glacial waters used in the brewing process. I found overall across multiple brands, that the tastes were lighter in intensity, but flavorful and distinct.