What Napa, CA is to wine, Bend, OR is to Beer. Bend is Beer City USA with the most micro-breweries per capita in the nation!

While Bend is known for its breweries and all it offers for the outdoor adventurer, what many don't realize is that nestled in with all of the gloriously dusty, snowy, sun-soaked, raw, outdoorsy spirit are slices of pampering luxury.

The city takes its beer very seriously and even the luxury spas in town incorporate the love of beer into their blissful services. And thanks to the lovely ladies at Anjou Spa I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the beauty benefits of beer.

To start, I'm in love with the beautiful vibe of Anjou Spa that you can't help but notice as soon as you step foot inside.

I was there for a pedicure but all of their services include optional time in the aromatic steam room and hot sauna sand room.

Which, of course, I took advantage of!

After relaxing on a bed of sand, allowing the heat to work its magic improving blood flow, muscle recovery ( I'd been to Bikram yoga the day before), and overall immunity, I rinsed off and headed in for the star of the show - my beer pedicure.

They situated me in a Zero Gravity chair and offered me a cold beer to enjoy while I soaked my feet in a warm beer foot bath in a gorgeous copper bowl.

To be honest, before this I had no idea beer had any beauty/health benefits. It was fun to learn that beer has antibacterial properties, it's a soothing cleanser that helps dissolve dead skin cells while helping to increase the elasticity of the skin. To add to all that goodness, apparently soaking in a copper bowl helps to draw toxins out. I'm always game for detoxifying! Bonus to detoxify in such a luxurious way!!

They even include an in-house made scrub with hops!

After my pedicure, I was left to relax and let my nails dry while sipping on a mimosa.

I thoroughly enjoyed my slice of luxury in Beer City USA! I'm excited to explore and see what other gorgeous nuggets I can find in Bend!

*** Update ****

While Anjou Spa is still open, they sadly no longer offer pedicures. However, I still highly recommend trying your own beer pedicure at home! This fun and soothing self-care ritual can be a delightful way to unwind.

What You’ll Need:

A shallow basin: Make sure it’s large enough to comfortably fit your feet.
Beer: Any you like.
Foot scrub: A gentle scrub to exfoliate afterward.
Moisturizer: To nourish your skin post-pedicure.

Steps to Create Your Beer Pedicure:

Prepare the Soak: Fill your basin with warm water and pour in the beer, about 1 cup should suffice but I usually pour the whole can/bottle.
Soak Your Feet: Immerse your feet in the mixture for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the beer's yeast and sugars to soften your skin.
Exfoliate: After soaking, use your foot scrub to gently exfoliate, focusing on rough areas like heels and toes. Rinse your feet afterward.
Moisturize: Pat your feet dry and apply your favorite moisturizer, massaging it in to lock in hydration.
Relax: Enjoy the soothing effects of your homemade pedicure with a good book or a cozy blanket.

This beer pedicure is not only a treat for your feet but also a wonderful way to incorporate cozy rituals into your self-care routine. Embracing these simple pleasures can enhance your overall sense of well-being and relaxation. Enjoy!

With warmth,

Sarah Voiles