Quas on tap at Banya No.1 Chiswick

A proper bathhouse visit leaves room for the pause afterwards. At Banya No.1 Chiswick, that pause can come with a cold pour of Quas Original, straight from the tap. Our Edinburgh-brewed sourdough kvass brings malt, a gentle tang and a dry finish to a London bathhouse with a natural place for the drink.

Quas went on tap at Banya No.1 Chiswick in March 2024. For Quas, it was a chance to bring the drink into a setting long associated with kvass: somewhere to bathe, eat and spend time together.

From Edinburgh’s brewery to Chiswick’s tap

We make Quas with Scottish water, rye, barley and a sourdough culture. Its character comes from grain and fermentation: a rounded, malty first sip, dried-fruit notes, gentle spice and a clean sourness that keeps the finish dry.

On tap, the introduction is wonderfully direct. Ask for a Quas, take a look at its dark, cloudy body and fine foam, and give it a few sips. There is plenty of flavour to discover even if you have never heard of kvass before.

The Banya No.1 Chiswick food and drinks menu lists draught Quas. It gives you somewhere to try the pairing for yourself, as part of a visit with food and time to rest.

The cold jug after the bath

One of our favourite details from bathhouse literature comes in Pavel Melnikov-Pechersky’s 1870s novel In the Forests. The bathhouse is prepared with fresh wood, white sheets and fragrant herbs. Afterwards, the merchant Chapurin drinks cold kvass and rests in the anteroom.

It is a scene built around the whole visit, including the drink and the time afterwards. That is what appeals to us about bringing Quas into a bathhouse today. The glass is part of the occasion, with its own flavour and its own moment.

Our kvass and sauna story follows that connection through dictionaries, literature and memories from different bathing cultures, then brings it back to the venues serving Quas in Britain.

What to expect in the glass

Quas is non-alcoholic, with naturally occurring trace alcohol from fermentation. Original has an ale-like depth and restrained natural bubbles. It is malty and tangy rather than sugary, a refreshing drink to enjoy slowly.

We serve it fridge-cold and straight. Original needs no ice or garnish. At Banya, let the team provide the right vessel and show you where to enjoy your drink. Our guide to drinks after sauna has more on the simple serve.

Quas contains gluten from rye and barley and is not suitable for people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Visit Banya No.1 Chiswick

You will find Banya No.1 Chiswick at 404–406 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5TF. Visit the venue’s website to book, explore the bathing experience and check the current menu. Ask for Quas on tap when you visit.

For more places to try the drink, open our sauna stockist map. If you run a sauna and would like to bring Quas to your own rest area, tell us about your venue.