North London Craft Brewery Tour

North London’s beer scene is spread across several taprooms, and this tour turns a tricky afternoon of planning into a simple four-stop route. You’ll visit Hackney Brewery, Wild Card Brewery, Exale Taproom, and Signature Brew, with a half or two-thirds pint included at each stop. Paul Davies leads the tour, and his beer-making knowledge gives the tastings some useful context.

I like the easy social setup and the fact that all four drinks are included in the $67 price. I also like that the tour takes you beyond central London, into an area many visitors would likely miss. The main consideration is pace: four stops in roughly three to four hours means each visit lasts about 45 minutes, so this is a tasting route rather than a long stay at any single brewery.

Four North London stops in one afternoon

• Four breweries, one planned route: Visit Hackney Brewery, Wild Card Brewery, Exale Taproom, and Signature Brew without arranging transport between them yourself.
• A drink at every stop: Your tasting includes a half or two-thirds pint of beer, or a soft drink, at each brewery.
• Paul Davies as your guide: Paul brings practical beer knowledge and answers questions about how the drinks are made.
• A small-group format: The tour accepts no more than 20 people, making it easier to chat than on a large coach excursion.
• A social way to meet people: The group can include fellow beer fans from different countries, creating an informal, friendly mood.
• A useful North London introduction: The route shows you a side of London that sits well outside the usual sightseeing circuit.

Why this tour works for beer-minded visitors

The strongest feature is the route itself. London has no shortage of breweries and taprooms, but finding four good stops that work together can take time. You need to check opening hours, work out connections, allow for delays, and decide how much to drink at each place. Here, the route is arranged for you.

That matters because brewery visits are often more enjoyable when you are not watching the clock for the next train. You meet at Blackhorse Road at 1:00 pm, then follow the guide to the four stops. The end point is at Big Penny’s head office on Priestley Way, near the same general North London area.

The tour lasts about three to four hours. That gives you a full afternoon without taking over your entire day. I would avoid scheduling a major timed attraction immediately afterward, since the exact finish can vary within that window.

Each stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to receive your included drink, settle in, listen to the guide, and ask questions. It is not enough time for a slow meal, a long brewery tour, or several extra rounds at every venue. Think of this as a guided tasting crawl, not a relaxed evening in one taproom.

Starting at Blackhorse Road at 1:00 pm

Your meeting point is Blackhorse Road Underground station, at Blackhorse Road, London E17 6ND. The guide will direct you to the nearest Underground station as part of the meeting instructions, which helps if you are unfamiliar with this part of London.

Blackhorse Road is a practical starting point because the tour focuses on North London rather than central attractions. Allow yourself enough time to reach the station before 1:00 pm. The tour is built around a group schedule, so arriving late could mean missing the first stop.

The mobile ticket is useful for a day of moving between places. Keep the booking details easy to access on your phone, and make sure your phone has enough charge for the afternoon. Those are small preparations, but they remove needless stress at the meeting point.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is still a manageable number for a walking and tasting route. A group of this size can feel lively, especially when people begin comparing what they have ordered, while still giving you a fair chance to hear Paul.

Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom

The first stop is Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom. You receive a half or two-thirds pint of beer, or a soft drink, and spend about 45 minutes here.

Starting with an established taproom gives the afternoon a clear introduction to North London’s beer culture. You can use this first tasting to get comfortable with the format: choose or receive the included drink, listen to the guide, and ask questions before the group moves on.

The size of the pour is worth noting. A two-thirds pint is enough to enjoy properly, while a half pint keeps the total amount more manageable across four stops. You do not need to order full pints to get value from the afternoon, since a drink is already included at every brewery.

There is no indication that this is a long production-floor visit, so you should not book it expecting a full look at every stage of brewing. The value here comes from visiting the taproom, tasting the beer, and learning from the guide as part of a wider route.

Wild Card Brewery after the first tasting

Wild Card Brewery is the second stop, with another half or two-thirds pint or a soft drink included. The visit lasts around 45 minutes.

By this stage, the format should feel straightforward. You have already met the group, heard Paul explain the beer, and had a first chance to ask questions. The second brewery lets you compare the character of another North London producer instead of judging one beer in isolation.

That comparison is one of the better reasons to choose a multi-stop tour. A single brewery visit can tell you about one producer. Four stops show you differences in brewing style, taproom atmosphere, and the range of drinks available, even though the supplied details do not promise a fixed beer list.

Keep your expectations flexible. The precise beer served can change, and the available options are not specified in advance. If you prefer not to drink alcohol at one stop, the tour includes a soft drink option.

Exale Taproom keeps the route moving

The third stop is Exale Taproom. Again, you receive a half or two-thirds pint of beer or a soft drink, with about 45 minutes at the venue.

The third stop is where the planned structure becomes especially useful. Without a guide, a group could easily lose time deciding where to go next. Here, Paul keeps the afternoon moving and helps the visit feel like one connected experience rather than four unrelated pub stops.

Paul’s role is more than pointing out the next address. His knowledge of making beer gives you a way to understand what you are tasting. A past participant specifically praised his ability to answer questions about brewing, and another described the atmosphere as relaxed and friendly. That suggests the best experience comes from joining in, asking questions, and treating the afternoon as a shared conversation.

The 45-minute limit can also be a drawback if you find a beer you love. You may want to stay longer, order another drink, or explore the taproom at your own speed. The tour is designed for variety, so you trade lingering time for a wider look at the area.

Signature Brew Taproom finishes the tasting route

The final stop is Signature Brew Taproom, where your included tasting is another half or two-thirds pint or a soft drink. The planned visit lasts about 45 minutes.

Ending with a fourth brewery gives the route a satisfying sense of progression. You have sampled four places in one afternoon without having to make four separate bookings. You can also use the final stop to ask Paul any questions that came up earlier, or to compare your favorite beer from the day.

The tour ends at Big Penny’s head office at 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL. That is useful to know before booking dinner or an evening show. You are not returning to the original meeting point, so plan your onward journey from the end location rather than assuming you will finish at Blackhorse Road.

The supplied details do not state how long it takes to travel between the taprooms or what transport is used at every stage. The important practical point is that the guide handles the route and directs you through the North London stops. You should still wear comfortable shoes and leave room in your schedule for normal city movement.

The value of $67 for four tastings

At $67, the tour costs more than simply visiting one local taproom and buying one drink. You are paying for four included tastings, a guide, and the work of arranging the route between four breweries.

The value is strongest if you want variety and convenience. Buying a half or two-thirds pint at four venues would already add up, and independent planning could involve extra transport costs and a fair amount of research. The guided format also gives you a social setting, which can be valuable if you are visiting London alone or want to meet other beer fans.

The price is less attractive if you prefer to choose your own breweries, stay for a full pint, or spend a long time at one place. You may also find the included tasting sizes modest if you normally order larger pours. This is a structured introduction to North London beer, not an all-day drinking session.

I would judge the price by asking what you value more: freedom or ease. If you want total control, explore on your own. If you want four stops, built-in tastings, and a guide who can answer brewing questions, the cost is easier to justify.

What the social side feels like

This tour is well suited to people who enjoy conversation. The group can bring together visitors from different countries, and the format naturally gives you several chances to chat while moving between taprooms.

Paul Davies appears to be a central part of that atmosphere. One past participant described the experience as feeling like meeting an old friend, while another praised Paul’s beer knowledge and the way he handled questions. Those details matter because a beer crawl can feel awkward if the guide only recites facts. Here, you can expect a more personal, conversational tone.

You should still choose the tour with the right expectations. The group limit is 20, so this is not a private tasting where the guide can focus only on your preferences. It is also not aimed only at experts. Most people can participate, and a soft drink is available at each stop, making the format more flexible than the word beer tour might suggest.

Who should book this North London brewery tour

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A planned introduction to four North London breweries
• Included drinks instead of separate tasting costs
• A guide who can explain beer-making in plain terms
• A social afternoon with other beer enthusiasts
• A way to see an area beyond central London
• A half-day activity that does not require a full evening commitment

It may not suit you if you want a detailed behind-the-scenes brewery tour, a large meal, or lots of free time at each venue. The supplied details focus on taproom visits and tastings, and the 45-minute stops keep the route on schedule.

Most people can take part, the route is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. If you need specific assistance beyond that, confirm the details before booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so make sure the date and meeting point work for you. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Final call: book it for variety and company

I would book the North London Craft Brewery Tour if you want a simple way to sample four breweries without planning the route yourself. The included tastings, small maximum group size, and Paul Davies’s friendly beer expertise give the afternoon real appeal.

I would skip it if your ideal brewery day means lingering at one taproom, choosing every beer yourself, or taking a full production tour. For everyone else, $67 buys a tidy four-stop introduction to North London’s craft beer scene, with enough structure to make the afternoon easy and enough conversation to keep it from feeling mechanical.

FAQ

Where does the North London Craft Brewery Tour begin?

The tour begins at Blackhorse Road Underground station, Blackhorse Road, London E17 6ND, at 1:00 pm.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends at Big Penny’s head office, 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three to four hours.

Which breweries are included?

The route includes Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom, Wild Card Brewery, Exale Taproom, and Signature Brew Taproom.

Is beer included in the price?

Yes. Each stop includes a half or two-thirds pint of beer. A soft drink is also available at each stop.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 people.