When planning or expanding a brewery, understanding what a tap room is and how it can elevate your business is essential. Tap rooms are more than just trendy drinking spaces – they’re a crucial part of the commercial and brand strategy for many breweries.
At Octego, we help bring these ideas to life, delivering bespoke construction and fit-out services that support tap rooms and their operational requirements.
What Is a Tap Room?
If you’re new to the brewery scene or expanding an existing operation, you might be wondering ‘what is a tap room?’ In short, a tap room is a space within a brewery where customers can sample and purchase freshly brewed beer directly from the source. Unlike a traditional pub or bar, tap rooms are often attached to the brewery itself, offering a unique experience and a direct connection between brewers and beer lovers.
But for those in the industry, a tap room serves multiple purposes. It’s a marketing tool, a testing ground for new brews, and a way to engage with your community. Tap rooms help increase revenue by cutting out the middleman, and they give customers a more immersive experience, complete with stainless tanks, brewing smells, and chatty brewers. For this reason, tap rooms must be both operationally efficient and aesthetically appealing.
Why Construction Matters for Tap Rooms
Designing and fitting out a tap room involves far more than setting up a bar and tables. It’s a highly specialised environment that blends hospitality with industrial infrastructure. That’s where Octego comes in.
Our Sussex-based team has decades of experience in bespoke construction and refurbishment services—perfectly suited to tap room and brewery projects across the South East. We understand the challenges and opportunities in balancing hygiene, safety, compliance, and style.
From the flooring underfoot to the lighting overhead, we handle every aspect of your tap room construction, working to your vision, layout, and brand requirements.
Bespoke Brewery Flooring for Tap Rooms
One of the most overlooked aspects of a tap room is the flooring—yet it’s critical for both presentation and performance. Standard concrete is not up to the task; it can degrade when exposed to alcohol or acidic residues.
Instead, you need specialist brewery flooring that is:
● Non-absorbent and easy to clean
● Resistant to mould, bacteria, and chemical spills
● Slip-resistant and durable under heavy foot traffic
● Able to handle varying temperatures and wet conditions
At Octego, we assess your tap room and brewing space as a whole, recommending the most suitable materials and coatings. We can also integrate sloped floors and drainage solutions, helping you meet hygiene regulations and reduce cleaning times.
Supporting Your Full Tap Room Fit Out
Whether you’re setting up a new tap room or upgrading an existing one, Octego offers full project management and contractor services. Our goal is to help you create a cohesive, functional, and attractive space where your brand and product can shine.
We can support with:
- Cold room installation for storing and serving beer at precise temperatures
- Groundworks and drainage, essential for spill-prone environments
- Partitioning or layout work, including toilet facilities, staff areas, or offices
- Warehouse refurbishments that incorporate tap room additions or mezzanine spaces
You’ll benefit from a single point of contact and a streamlined service, with every detail built around your business goals and site-specific requirements.
Why Choose Octego for Your Tap Room?
We’re not just builders—we’re industry partners. Octego has worked with breweries, food producers, and hospitality venues across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and beyond, building long-term relationships through trusted service.
Here’s why businesses choose us:
- Over 40 years of industry experience
- Full turnkey project solutions, from design to completion
- Flexible and scalable services tailored to growing operations
- Access to specialist suppliers and high-grade materials
- Trusted across food, drink, medical, and industrial sectors
From concept to pour, we’re with you every step of the way – ensuring your tap room isn’t just compliant, but commercially successful.
Ready to Build or Upgrade Your Tap Room?
If you’re in the brewing industry or planning to enter it, investing in a well-designed, practical, and engaging tap room can transform your business. Let Octego help you get there.
Call our expert team on 01444 405269, or visit our website.
Did you enjoy this blog? You may also enjoy our recent article on warehouse refurbishments.
FAQs
What is a tap room in a brewery?
A tap room is a dedicated space within or adjacent to a brewery where customers can taste and purchase beer directly from the source. Tap rooms are designed to enhance the customer experience, allowing people to engage with the brand, enjoy fresh brews, and learn more about the brewing process.
Why is specialist flooring important for tap rooms?
Specialist brewery flooring is essential in tap rooms because standard concrete can react with alcohol and wear down quickly. Proper flooring must be slip-resistant, hygienic, and resistant to chemicals, heat, and moisture, ensuring a safe, clean environment for both staff and customers.
Can Octego help with full tap room construction?
Yes—Octego offers bespoke tap room construction and full fit-out services across the South East. From drainage and flooring to cold room installation and layout work, we handle every stage of your tap room build to meet health, safety, and branding requirements.
Do tap rooms need drainage systems?
Yes, efficient drainage systems are vital in tap rooms and brewery environments. Without proper drainage, liquid spills can lead to slip hazards and bacterial build-up. Octego designs and installs tailored drainage systems, including slopes and slot drains, as part of a full tap room fit-out.
Why choose Octego for tap room and brewery projects?
Octego has over 40 years of experience supporting commercial spaces, including breweries and tap rooms. We offer turnkey construction services, custom solutions, and expert advice to ensure every aspect of your space—flooring, drainage, cold rooms, and more—is built for performance and durability.
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