Hilda being installed

Week commencing 13 November 2017 was a real milestone for Henstone Distillery as our still, Hilda, was installed. We all worked long hours but the end result was well worth it as I hope the following photographs show…

An image of a alcohol still wrapped in bubble wrap with henstone written on in blue ink

Phew, the postal address was correct!

An image of 2 men unboxing an alcohol still

Tim and Bob start unpacking.

An image of a four wheel crane entering a warehouse

It was a bit of a squeeze getting the Manitou in!!

An image of an alcohol still being lifted by a small crane next to a stack of silver beer kegs

Michael supervises the lifting of the main body of the still.

An image of an alcohol still being lifted into place in a warehouse as a man looks on

Almost there!

An image of an alcohol still being lowered into place as a man watches on

Hilda is gently lowered into place as Dean watches on.

An image of a man at the top of a ladder inspecting the top of an alcohol still

Michael starts assembling her.

An image of a man hanging inside an alcohol still with only his legs visible

Unbeknown to us quite a few parts were transported in the main body of the still. Tim found it amusing as Michael tried to retrieve them.

An image of a fully assembled alcohol still with two men watching on

Final bit of adjusting

An image of an alcohol still helmet being lifted into place by two men at the top of ladders

The helmet is lifted into place.

An image of a fully assembled alcohol still in a warehouse

Main still and hot water tank in place now.

An image of two men looking at a fully assembled alcohol still

Michael trying to work out how we’d get the column on top of the hot water tank!

An image of a group of men discussing in a warehouse

Ah, we’d do it with a block & tackle and a genie (good job we have a great hire shop close by)! Note that Iain, our resident engineer and electrician, was called in to advise at this stage.

An image of a man assembling a column on top of an alcohol still

It was a struggle with not much room between the top of the column and the roof.

A image of a man standing back for an alcohol still

Getting the condensing column in place proved a little easier.

Looking like a still now.

An image of 3 men attending to electrical equipment

We had a few burner issues but were lucky to have the AWS Plumbing team on hand to help

An image of a ladder looking up to the top

Now time to work on the flue.

The water jacket being filled.

An image of a man fixing the column of a alcohol still

Alex polishes the final article. We all have to say we’re really pleased with the end result and we’re now looking forward to producing our Henstone products.