Take Beer Lovers to the Next Level
By Kastle Waserman
With roughly 150 brewpubs, breweries and taprooms in the metro area, there is no question: Denver loves its beer.
So why not take it a step further and not only drink it but soak in it? That’s what husband and wife team Jessica French and Damien Zouaoui decided to offer Denverites after discovering Eastern Europe’s beer spas. The couple had been living in New York, but shortly after getting married, they quit their corporate jobs, sold everything they owned and went backpacking through Europe in search of an idea for starting a business.
French and Zouaoui stumbled upon a beer spa in Poland and decided to try it. Other beer spa samplings around the world followed before they returned to bring the concept to the U.S. They landed in Denver.
“We were looking for cities that have a big craft beer scene. With all the craft breweries and microbreweries here, we knew there would be no shortage of breweries to partner with,” French says. “We were also looking for cities that really support small businesses and are very wellness-oriented. Colorado is the least obese state in the U.S. People are very outdoorsy and open to new experiences. All of our market research pointed to Denver being the best location.”
They opened Oakwell Beer Spa in the Five Points area in 2019 with small business funding from the city of Denver that required their location to be in an area needing economic development. They settled on a charming building constructed in 1904, conveniently within walking distance of all the breweries and bars in RiNo. They plan to open a second location in February in Highlands Ranch.
What differentiates this beer spa from other spas is not only the beer but also Oakwell’s approach, which also differs from the beer spas in Europe. It’s a beer spa and taproom in one. Guests get access to a private suite to bring in a beer from the taproom, enjoy a detoxifying sauna and cool off in a rain shower before soaking in their signature beer bath.
But does it feel—and smell—like dipping into a giant can of beer?
“No!” French says. “If you’ve ever done a brewery tour, it smells like wort, which is young beer. It’s a blend of fresh hops and malt, but there’s no yeast. It’s not fermented. So, it doesn’t have that sweet alcoholic smell to it.”
The couple created their own beer soak infused with a beer-based blend of fresh hops and barley mixed with other herbal ingredients that are beneficial to the skin. The spa also has its own beer-infused hair and body products. There’s even a candle with the scent of the beer ingredients and herbs used in the spa. Other features include zero-gravity massage chairs, a rotating roster of local partner breweries in the taproom, and wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks to please all tastes.
The couple says the goal is to create an upscale, gender-inclusive experience, unlike the girly or party-scene beer spas they saw elsewhere. The new Highlands Ranch location will feature a patio to create a sense of community. “We hope it serves as a gathering place,” Zouaoui says. “We want people to come hang out, have a drink, enjoy the massage chairs and a different kind of spa experience.”
Oakwell Beer Spa
oakwell.com
