Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs National Park

The National Park Service yesterday signed a lease with Vapor Valley Spirits Inc. to operate at the Superior Bathhouse in Hot Springs National Park.

This is great news as 30 years after the Superior Bathhouse closed its doors to bathers in 1983, the bathhouse is now on a path towards reopening as the Superior Bathhouse Brewery & Distillery.

Another highlight is that when it does, it will be the world’s first brewery or distillery to utilize thermal spring water as the main ingredient.

The National Park Service sends thermal water to the Superior in its hot state, at about 144 degrees. From that point plans are for the brewery to use their custom built brewing and distilling equipment (and grains, hops, and yeast) to turn that water into craft beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages including root beer and seltzer.

Also in the plans are weekly tours so that visitors can learn about the brewing and distilling processes,, enjoy samples, and shop in their gift shop. Construction should be underway in early Spring with the Craft Beer Tasting Room opening in time for Summer and the Brewery coming on line by Fall.  To keep updated on the progress of the brewery, check out their website here or their facebook page here  .