Installing Hygienic, Heavy-Duty Flooring for a Working Distillery and Visitor Attraction

The Challenge: Selecting Safe and Hygienic Distillery Flooring with Exceptional Durability

Aber Falls Distillery in North Wales is the first distillery of its kind in the area for more than 100 years. Producing gin, whisky and other liqueurs at its premises in Abergwyngregyn, it is one of only four distilleries in Wales. In addition to daily production operations, the facility also functions as a visitor attraction, hosting public tours throughout the year within the working distillery environment.

The distillery required a flooring system capable of meeting the stringent hygienic standards expected of a food and beverage production facility. However, hygiene alone was not sufficient. The solution also needed to deliver exceptional durability to withstand the weight of heavy machinery, operational equipment and fully loaded barrels used throughout the distillation and storage processes.

The brewing and distillation of spirits create demanding environmental conditions. Floors must resist heat, chemical exposure, sugars and spillages, while maintaining structural integrity under constant operational stress. Given the wet nature of the environment and the regular presence of visitors accessing production areas, it was essential that the flooring installed offered low slip potential to support both staff and public safety.

The Solution: Seamless, Food-Safe Polyurethane Screed for Distillery Production and Storage Areas

To address these requirements, specialists from Sherwin-Williams conducted a detailed assessment of the distillery’s operational needs before selecting FasTop™ TG69 polyurethane screed alongside Resucoat HB for use within the production and storage areas. Installation was carried out by specialist applicator REME Flooring.

The Sherwin-Williams range of resin flooring systems for breweries and distilleries is designed to provide heavy-duty, seamless and hygienic finishes. Their monolithic construction prevents the ingress of water or fluids between the substrate and the floor surface, reducing the risk of contamination and microbial growth. FasTop TG69 is engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including exposure to sugars, thermal shock, physical impact and heavy machinery.

In addition to durability, the selected system delivers a food-safe, anti-slip surface compliant with strict hygiene and safety standards. The seamless finish supports effective cleaning procedures, while its compatibility with drainage systems and the ability to be laid to falls enhances washdown efficiency and prevents liquids from pooling on the floor surface.

The Results: A Seamless, Anti-Slip Distillery Floor Built for Hygiene, Load Resistance and Long-Term Performance

The completed installation delivered a robust flooring system capable of meeting the operational demands of a modern working distillery. The products installed can meet the requirements of ISO 22916 for antimicrobial performance and provide very high compressive strength, meaning the floor can withstand heavy loads from barrels and equipment operating at full capacity.

Because the system is seamless and impervious to humid conditions, spillages remain on the surface where they can be easily cleaned, allowing hygiene standards to be consistently maintained without risk of contamination. The integration of drainage compatibility and falls further supports efficient washdowns and prevents wastewater or other liquids from ponding.

The result is a durable, hygienic and slip-resistant polyurethane screed system that supports both high-quality spirit production and safe public access, delivering long-term performance in one of Wales’s most distinctive distilleries.