BLOG

Save Water – Drink Beer!

Save Water – Drink Beer!

It is a well-known fact that beer is a drink that is enjoyed all over the world. Well, Russia is no exception as it is the second most popular alcoholic beverage after vodka.

The history of beer in Russia dates back almost 2,000 years to the Ancient Slavs. Surprisingly, in their language, ‘pivo’ (beer) and ‘pit’ (to drink) were synonyms as beer was very popular and valuable in those days.

Farmers paid their taxes with barley, hops and yeast, and only monks in their abbeys were allowed to produce beer. They usually made light (2–4%), medium (4.5–7%), strong (up to 17%) and very strong (up to 35%) beer, as well as a drink called ‘perevar’ which was a beer made with honey.

Tsar Peter the Great

In the 17th century, Tsar Peter the Great brought the best beer-makers from Europe and opened Russia’s first brewing factory. As a result, the popularity of beer thrived. After the Industrial Revolution, Catherine the Great opened a brewery and it went on to produce 1.7 million litres of beer every year. This was followed in 1878 by the opening of a huge brewery in Moscow, with an output of 7.7 million litres per year. In fact, this brewery is still in existence today, producing a very famous Russian beer called ‘Baltika’.

Naturally, drinkers will often feel a little peckish when enjoying their beer. The traditional beer snack in Russia is crayfish; its meat is incredibly juicy and tender which is why it tastes so delicious with beer. Despite its amazing taste, crayfish has always been very affordable in Russia and so it is universally adored by people of all classes and backgrounds – from soldiers and farmers to priests and aristocrats. Moreover, in many pubs in Russia’s largest cities, crayfish was served with beer free of charge.

Crayfish meat is normally white with a hint of pink and it has a taste that resembles crab or lobster. One of its benefits is that it is a very low-fat product that contains only 0.5% fat and up to 16% protein. Normally, crayfish is cooked in a large saucepan with just salt and dill. Having said that, there are now thousands of different recipes on how to cook it, one of which even includes boiling it in beer.

Beer at Banya No.1

So, how should you finish your ideal visit to Banya No.1? Well, we offer various lagers from Germany, the Czech Republic and Latvia, and we guarantee that combining a pint of ice-cold lager with some crayfish after your Parenie session will be the cherry on top of your cake!

Check out our full menu here –>

other articles:

gif
Read Post-Workout Recovery: Sauna and Cold Plunge in Evidence-Based Perspective
Post-Workout Recovery: Sauna and Cold Plunge in Evidence-Based Perspective
Health benefits
Sauna
Learn more
icon

Post-Workout Recovery: Sauna and Cold Plunge in Evidence-Based Perspective

Recovering from a workout is just as important as the exercise itself. Whether you’re hitting the gym, going for a long run, or simply staying active, your muscles need time and support to bounce back. At Banya No.1 – Hoxton, we offer authentic banya and sauna experiences – complete with cold plunge, deep tissue massage

Read From London to Tbilisi — and Now Paris: The Expanding Family of Banya No.1
From London to Tbilisi — and Now Paris: The Expanding Family of Banya No.1
Banya No.1 Branches
Learn more
icon

From London to Tbilisi — and Now Paris: The Expanding Family of Banya No.1

Back in 2012, Banya No.1 opened its doors in Hoxton, London — introducing the city to something truly different. This wasn’t just another spa. This was the UK’s first authentic Russian banya, bringing centuries-old wellness rituals to life in a way that was vigorous, social, and intensely effective. Over a decade later, what began as

Read Can a Sauna Help You Lose Weight?
Can a Sauna Help You Lose Weight?
Health benefits
Sauna
Learn more
icon

Can a Sauna Help You Lose Weight?

If you’ve ever stepped into a sauna or banya and emerged feeling lighter, you’re not alone. The sensation of detoxifying sweat and post-session relaxation tends to leave people wondering: Can a sauna help with weight loss? Let’s take a closer look at the facts. Whether it’s a Russian banya or a Finnish sauna, the trend

Read Vote for Us & Get a FREE Scrub Treatment – Worth £30!
Vote for Us & Get a FREE Scrub Treatment – Worth £30!
Awards
Learn more
icon

Vote for Us & Get a FREE Scrub Treatment – Worth £30!

We’re thrilled to share that The Good Spa Guide has named us finalists for the 3rd consecutive year in their prestigious Spa Awards — this time in the Best Traditional Spa Experience category! To help us bring this award home, we’d love your support. Cast your vote for us and enjoy a little thank-you gift

Read The Times Press Review: Janice Turner visits a traditional Russian banya
The Times Press Review: Janice Turner visits a traditional Russian banya
Media Reviews
Russian Banya
Learn more
icon

The Times Press Review: Janice Turner visits a traditional Russian banya

Award-winning journalist Janice Turner received a visit to a Banya No.1 – Hoxton as a birthday present from her sons and described her experience in The Times column. Like many of our guests, she experienced a bit of cultural shock when first introduced to the intense heat and leafy branches of our signature Parenie Ritual.

Read Body Stress Release: Best Way to Detox Your Body
Body Stress Release: Best Way to Detox Your Body
Beat stress
Detox
Fitness
Learn more
icon

Body Stress Release: Best Way to Detox Your Body

The best way to detox your body is a balanced combination of heat, cold, and rest. At Banya No.1, our time-honoured banya rituals are designed to promote natural detoxification and stress release, leaving you refreshed and recharged. Why Detoxing Your Body Matters Daily life exposes the body to toxins, from environmental pollutants to stress-induced tension.

Read How to Maximise Recovery & Fitness Goals with Ice Baths
How to Maximise Recovery & Fitness Goals with Ice Baths
Detox
Fitness
Plunge pool
Learn more
icon

How to Maximise Recovery & Fitness Goals with Ice Baths

Ice baths are more than just a trend—they’re a science-backed way to enhance recovery and boost performance. Whether you’re into weightlifting, endurance sports, or cardio, the timing and approach to cold exposure can make all the difference. Dive into our expert tips to discover how to tailor ice baths to your fitness goals. The Incredible

Read Korean Spa vs. Russian Banya
Korean Spa vs. Russian Banya
Russian Banya
Learn more
icon

Korean Spa vs. Russian Banya

Korean spas and Russian banyas both focus on social wellness and sauna experiences. Korean spas provide a modern, family-friendly environment, while Russian banyas—equally welcoming to families—offer a deeply rooted tradition known for its invigorating effects, detoxification, stress relief, and rejuvenation. This article explores and compares these two unique experiences. In recent years, both Korean spas

Read Banya No.1 Wins Digital Marketing Award — Two Years in a Row!
Banya No.1 Wins Digital Marketing Award — Two Years in a Row!
Awards
Learn more
icon

Banya No.1 Wins Digital Marketing Award — Two Years in a Row!

We’re delighted to share the news—Banya No.1 has won the Digital Marketing Award for the second consecutive year!

Read Celebrating Our Latest 2024 Award Nominations
Celebrating Our Latest 2024 Award Nominations
Awards
Learn more
icon

Celebrating Our Latest 2024 Award Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that Banya No.1 – Hoxton has been recognised as a finalist in three prestigious categories at the BABTAC Awards 2024: Boutique Spa of the Year, Spa Leader of the Year, and Digital Marketing. These recognitions are particularly meaningful as they follow our achievements last year, where we proudly won the

see more

We’re nominated for England’s Best Day Spa at the World Spa Awards 2025 – help us win by casting your vote!

VOTE NOW
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Tag Manager to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Additional Cookies

This website uses the following additional cookies:

Google Tag Manager, Microsoft Clarity, Facebook Pixel.