Review · LONDON BREWERY TOURS
3 Locks Brewing Company Tour and Tasting Experience in Camden
The best part of this Camden experience is the full beer progression. You start with a welcome beer, move through six different tasters, see the brewhouse, then finish with more beer, including a pour from the tank. It gives you more than a quick sample at the bar.
I like the small group size of 12, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the useful finish: you get 10% off in the taproom and on merchandise. The main drawback is that no food is included, so you’ll need to eat before or after.
Key points at a glance

- Six beers in one guided tasting: You can compare several styles instead of committing to one full pint.
- A beer from the tank: The brewery visit includes a taste from the source, adding a practical touch to the tour.
- Up to 12 people: The group is small enough for a more personal visit.
- Guide Michael brings energy and clear explanations: He is praised for making the brewing information entertaining for a mixed-age family group.
- Two complimentary pints plus tasting pours: The experience offers substantial beer value for its 75-minute length.
- Camden taproom setting: You finish back at 3 Locks Brewing Company, with a 10% discount for more drinks or merchandise.
Starting at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden

You meet at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Lane, Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY. The brewery is near public transportation, and the activity ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second meeting point or work out a return route.
That simple start matters in London. Camden can be busy and spread out, and a fixed beginning and end make the visit easy to fit around other plans. You receive a mobile ticket, and the experience is offered in English.
The visit lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. That is long enough for a proper introduction to the beer and brewing process, but short enough to pair with a meal, market visit, or afternoon in Camden.
I would arrive with a little time to spare. The exact meeting point is the brewery’s arch in Hawley Wharf, so having the address ready on your phone is sensible. This is not a hotel pickup tour. You make your own way there and return to the same location afterward.
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The welcome beer sets the pace

The experience begins with a welcome beer. This is a good way to settle into the taproom before the formal tasting starts, especially if you are joining with family or friends who have different levels of interest in craft beer.
You are not expected to know brewing terms or beer styles. The format is social and guided, with time to listen, taste, and ask questions. Guide Michael has been praised for being entertaining as well as well informed, which is important in a brewery. Technical talk can become dry in a hurry, but a good guide keeps it connected to what is in your glass.
The welcome beer also gives you a reference point for the later tasting. You can pay attention to differences in flavor, strength, aroma, and texture as the session moves along. The available information does not specify the beer served at this first stage, so do not book expecting a particular style.
Six tasters make comparison easy
After the arrival beer, you receive a flight of six tasters. This is where the experience earns its value for anyone curious about craft beer but unsure what to order by the pint.
Small pours let you try several beers without filling up too quickly. You can compare them side by side and decide what you might want to order later in the taproom. The six-beer format is also better for a mixed group, since each person can form an opinion without buying six full drinks.
The tour information does not name the beers or promise particular styles. That is worth noting if you are looking for a specific IPA, stout, lager, or seasonal release. The selection may depend on what 3 Locks Brewing Company is serving at the time.
Still, the changing selection can be part of the point. A brewery tasting should show what is being made and poured now, rather than force every date into the same fixed menu. If you are new to craft beer, listen for the guide’s explanations and focus on what you enjoy rather than trying to identify every flavor.
The tasting also suits experienced beer drinkers who want to sample a local producer without giving up a whole evening. At $34.28 per person, the price includes the arrival beer, six tasters, more brewery beer, beer from the tank, and a finishing beer. The value depends on the pour sizes, which are not stated, but the number of included samples and full beers makes this more than a single-drink visit.
A short pause keeps the visit comfortable
After the guided tasting, there is a small break before the brewhouse tour. That pause is practical. You have time to reset your palate, talk with the people in your group, and take stock of the beers you liked.
The break also prevents the experience from feeling like one long lecture. A good brewery visit alternates between tasting and explanation, and this schedule does that. The supplied details do not say how long the break lasts or whether food is available during it, so plan to eat separately.
No dinner or food is included. If you are hungry, visit Hawley Wharf before the tour or arrange a meal afterward. Do not count on the beer itself to make this a complete evening outing.
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Inside the brewhouse
The brewhouse visit gives the tasting a practical setting. Instead of only hearing about brewing while seated in the taproom, you get to see the working area connected to the beer you have just sampled.
The tour information does not provide a full list of equipment or a detailed brewing lesson, so you should not expect a long technical workshop. The value is in linking the finished drink with the place where it is made. For someone who enjoys knowing how a local beer comes together, this is the part that adds context.
The brewhouse stop is also useful for families and mixed groups. A person who is less focused on tasting can still enjoy seeing the production space, while serious beer fans can ask questions. Michael’s role matters here. His clear, entertaining style has been singled out as a strong part of the visit, and that kind of guide can make basic brewing information stick.
The group limit of 12 people helps. You are not trying to hear a presentation over a large crowd, and the guide has a better chance of responding to individual questions. The experience still takes place in an operating brewery, so conditions may feel practical rather than polished. That is part of the appeal, but it may not suit someone seeking a formal museum-style tour.
Beer from the tank and the final pour

After the brewhouse, you receive more beer, including beer from the tank and an end-of-tour beer. The tank pour is a particularly nice detail because it connects you directly with the brewery’s production process.
The included drinks are described as an arrival beer, a flight of six tasters, brewery beer, beer from the tank, and an end-of-tour beer. The experience is also promoted with two complimentary pints. Since exact serving sizes are not provided, it is best to understand the offer as a substantial mix of full beers and tasting pours rather than assume every listed drink is a full pint.
This final part gives you a chance to decide what you liked best. If one beer from the flight caught your attention, the taproom discount can make it easier to order another. You receive 10% off in the taproom and on merchandise after the tour, so the experience can continue beyond the official 75 minutes.
The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the finish flexible. You can stay for another drink, use the discount on a purchase, or leave for dinner and the rest of your Camden plans.
What the $34.28 price really covers
At $34.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to have one beer in London. It is better judged as a compact brewery visit with a guided tasting.
You are paying for the guide, the structure, the brewhouse access, six tasting pours, the arrival beer, additional brewery beer, beer from the tank, and a final beer. The 10% discount adds a little extra value if you plan to stay in the taproom or buy merchandise.
The strongest value comes if you enjoy trying several beers and want a local setting rather than a standard pub stop. It is less compelling if you only want one drink, do not care how beer is made, or need a full meal included.
The small group is another part of the price. A maximum of 12 people gives the visit a more personal feel than a large commercial tasting. You are more likely to hear the explanations and participate in the conversation.
The experience is commonly booked about 30 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible if your Camden schedule is fixed. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, based on the local cutoff time.
Who will enjoy this Camden beer tour?

I would recommend this to adults who like craft beer, curious first-time tasters, and families or friend groups with a shared interest in brewing. The format is friendly rather than intimidating, and Michael’s entertaining approach makes it suitable for people who do not already know much about beer.
It also works well for a small social outing. The group limit encourages conversation, and the sequence of tasting, break, brewhouse visit, and final beer gives the hour a natural rhythm.
You should think twice if you need a food-inclusive activity. Nothing to eat is provided. I would also hesitate if you are looking for a detailed technical course, since the available information promises a guided brewery tour and tasting, not a hands-on brewing class.
The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. The supplied details do not explain the physical layout of the brewhouse or provide full accessibility information, so contact the provider if you need specific access arrangements.
Practical tips for a better visit
- Eat beforehand: No dinner or food is included.
- Use public transportation: The brewery is near public transportation, and the activity begins and ends at Arch 14, 15 Water Lane.
- Keep your mobile ticket ready: Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience accepts a mobile ticket.
- Arrive ready to taste several styles: The six-beer flight is the heart of the visit, but the exact beers are not listed in advance.
- Save room for the taproom: The 10% discount applies after the tour, so you may want to stay for another drink or look at merchandise.
- Book ahead for fixed dates: The experience is often reserved about 30 days in advance.
- Watch the cancellation deadline: You need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company?
Book it if you want a short, social Camden activity built around local beer, with enough samples to compare different drinks and a look inside the brewhouse. The small group, energetic guide Michael, beer from the tank, and 10% taproom discount give it more substance than a simple tasting flight.
Skip it if you need food included, want a long technical brewing course, or prefer to choose one beer and move on. For most craft beer fans, though, $34.28 is a fair price for 75 minutes of guided tasting and brewery access, especially when you make use of the included drinks and stay for the taproom discount.
FAQ
Where does the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour start?
It starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Lane, Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY, UK.
Where does the experience end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point at 3 Locks Brewing Company.
How long does the tour last?
The experience lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
How many beers are included?
The experience includes an arrival beer, a flight of six tasters, brewery beer, beer from the tank, and an end-of-tour beer. It is also promoted as including two complimentary pints.
Is food included?
No. Dinner and food are not included.
How many people can join the tour?
The maximum group size is 12 people.
Is the experience offered in English?
Yes. The tour is offered in English.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.
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