Beer straight from the tank grabs you fast. This 1.5-hour guided stop at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market pairs a full brewhouse tour with a very serious tasting of beer, including the tank pour moment most brewery tours only tease.

I love how you get a lot of beer for the price, not just tiny sips. I also love the way the guides keep things fun and easy to follow, with names like Mick and Michael showing up in the feedback for their humour and expert explanations.

One thing to weigh: it is strictly 18+, and you cannot wear open-toed shoes, so plan what you wear and who you bring.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Tank-to-glass beer so you taste it right from the source, not just from a tap
• 6-beer guided tasting that’s structured and guided, not random sampling
• More beer included than most brewery tours, plus a final end-of-tour pour
• Camden Market’s first brewery makes the setting part of the story
• Guides like Mick and Michael bring humour and clear brewing know-how

Stepping into 3 Locks, Camden Market’s first brewery stop

I like brewery tours that feel like you are getting access, not standing in a line. Here, you check in with the bar team and then you get pulled into the brewery experience, right in the Camden Market setting, where this place is known as the market’s first ever brewery.

The vibe is practical. You are there to taste, learn, and drink. That makes it a good pick if you want something beer-focused without needing to stack it with a bunch of other plans.

The tour is designed for adults, and it will move at a steady pace. If you are sensitive to alcohol or you hate tasting games, you might want to go slower elsewhere and treat this as a lighter, one-beer-style experience for you, not a marathon.

Your first beer and the tasting flow that keeps things fun

The tour starts with a welcome beer, so you get your bearings fast and you are not just staring at glassware while everyone explains the process. Then the guide runs you through a tasting flight of 6 beers, with each one part of the guided sequence.

What I like about this setup is that it is not random. You are tasting with context, so you can actually tell what changes from beer to beer and why. The feedback also points to guides like Mick and Michael for being engaging, with witty remarks and clear explanations of what you are drinking and what is happening during brewing.

And since you get beer during the experience (welcome beer, the tasting flight, a beer in the brewhouse, tank beer, and a final end-of-tour beer), you will not feel like you are constantly waiting for your next pour.

The big moment: beer straight out of the tank

Let me be blunt: if you like beer, the tank pour is the headline here. The tour includes beer straight out of the tank, meaning you taste it in a way most people never get to.

Why this is worth your time is simple. Beer changes fast once it is transferred, served, and handled. A tank pour gives you that direct connection to the brewing stage, and it is one of those experiences that feels more like a behind-the-scenes look than a standard tasting.

This is also where I tell people to slow down and pay attention. Smell first, sip second, and take a breath before you react. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement, especially if the guide is keeping the room laughing.

Inside the brewhouse tour, what you are really paying for

After the tasting portion begins, you get a full tour of the brewhouse, plus you’ll drink a beer while you are there. That matters, because it ties the concepts to the physical place where beer gets made.

The experience is built around a guided route through the brewhouse, so you are not left to interpret equipment you do not understand. Even if you are a casual beer fan, you’ll pick up the basic idea of how brewing becomes something you can actually taste.

I also appreciate that this tour is not overly complicated. The guide gives you the story and the practical takeaways, and your glasses give you the proof.

If you are the type who learns best by doing, this part is for you. If you want a silent, calm walk through industrial rooms, you might find it a touch lively.

Value check: why this tour earns its $33 price tag

The tour price is listed as £30 for tickets, and the experience runs about 1.5 hours. At this cost, the big selling point is the amount of beer you get included, which is called out as more than you’ll get on other brewery tours.

Here is what is included in the drinking side, because this is where the value really shows:

• a welcome beer
• a guided tasting flight of 6 beers
• a beer while you are in the brewhouse
• beer straight from the tank
• the final end-of-tour beer

On top of that, you get a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch after the tour. That turns the visit into something you can extend, instead of a one-and-done experience.

For me, value is not just the headline price. It is whether you feel satisfied when it ends. With multiple pours, a structured tasting, and a guided brewhouse visit, this one tends to leave you feeling like you did something worthwhile, not like you paid for a few sips and a quick walk.

How the itinerary fits into a real trip day

Your start point is 3 Locks Brewing Company, and you check in with the bar team. The experience runs about 1.5 hours, and it is essentially anchored in the Camden Market area, where the brewery is located.

So think of this as a compact, high-impact plan. It is ideal if you want a beer experience without losing half a day to travel between stops. You also get a built-in sequence, so you are not guessing what happens next.

One practical note: this is not the type of activity where you can easily pop out for photos every minute. The tour is timed and guided, and it flows around tasting and movement through the brewhouse.

Who should book this brewery tour, and who should skip it

This tour is best for adults who want a guided beer experience with a clear structure. It is specifically not suitable for children under 18, so keep it an adult outing.

It is also not for you if you dislike tasting beer as a concept. The whole format is built around sampling, learning, and comparing beers through guided pours. And because open-toed shoes are not allowed, wear something closed-toe and comfortable.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• you like beer and want a guided tasting with real context
• you want the tank pour moment and the brewhouse tour combined
• you want a fun guide presence, with humour and clear explanations (Mick and Michael show up often in the guide praise)

If you are a beer novice, you’ll still be able to follow along because the tasting flight gives you a baseline and the guide keeps things easy to understand.

Tips to enjoy the full 90 minutes without rushing

I like to treat tasting tours like a guided meal. You do not need to race through it. You need to taste, pause, and let the beers talk to your palate.

A few simple ways to get more out of it:

• Wear closed-toed shoes since open-toed ones are not allowed
• Go in curious, not competitive, so you enjoy the comparisons
• Take your time with the tank beer, since that is a once-in-a-tour highlight
• If you plan to eat right after, keep it light. You’ll likely have had multiple pours during the session

Also, don’t plan something intense right after. Even though it is only 1.5 hours, you are drinking more beer than a typical tasting event, so leave yourself breathing room.

Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company?

If you are choosing between a casual beer stop and a guided brewery experience, I’d lean toward booking this. The combination of 6-beer guided tasting, a real brewhouse tour, and beer straight from the tank makes it feel like you are getting more than the basics.

The other strong reason is value. The tour explicitly includes more beer than you tend to get elsewhere, and the 10% taproom discount gives you a way to keep the night going if you want.

Book it if you are 18+, comfortable with tasting formats, and you want a guided beer tour in the Camden Market area. Skip it if you want a quiet tour, you hate sampling multiple beers, or you have footwear limits.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Locks Brewing Company guided tasting and brewery tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

What beers are included in the tour?

You get a welcome beer, a guided tasting flight of 6 beers, a beer in the brewhouse, beer straight out of the tank, and an end of tour final beer.

Where do I check in for the tour?

Check in with the bar team at 3 Locks Brewing Company.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is there a dress code or footwear rule?

Yes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the tour guide available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide is English.

What is the language for the activity?

The tour is in English.

Do I get a discount in the taproom?

Yes. All tour guests enjoy a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.