3 Locks Brewing Company: Guided tasting and brewery tour

Camden Market’s first brewery puts the beer at the centre of the visit, and the best moment is exactly as promised: a pour straight from the tank. You’ll also work through six tasters, visit the brewhouse, and finish with another beer, so this is not a quick look around followed by one polite sample.

I like the unusually generous amount of beer included, and I like that the guides, especially Mick, bring humour to the brewing talk. The main catch is simple: this is strictly for adults, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. If you prefer a quiet, technical brewery lesson, the relaxed tasting style may feel more social than scientific.

Key points at a glance

• Tank-fresh beer: You drink beer directly from the brewery tank, not just from a taproom glass.
• Six-beer guided tasting: The flight gives you a broad look at what 3 Locks produces.
• Several extra pours: Your ticket includes a welcome beer, a brewery pour, and a final beer as well.
• Camden Market setting: You visit the market’s first brewery and return to the same place after the tour.
• Mick’s lively guiding: Mick, also named Michael in one booking record, is praised for humour, clear explanations, and an easy manner.
• Useful taproom discount: You receive 10% off beer and merchandise after the tour.

What the 1.5-hour brewery visit is really like

You begin at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market. Check in with the bar team, then settle in for a welcome beer before the formal tasting and brewery walk begin.

The short duration works well for a London day. You get a proper introduction without giving up half an afternoon. I would think of it as a focused beer session rather than a large industrial brewery tour. The attraction is access to the working brewing space and the number of pours, not a long museum-style presentation.

The tour takes place in English. Mick is the guide most often named in the available booking comments, and Michael appears as another form of his name. His style is relaxed, funny, and informative. That matters here. Brewing can become a pile of unfamiliar words about temperature, tanks, and fermentation, but a good guide keeps the talk moving while you have something in the glass.

Six beers give you a proper tasting spread

The main tasting is a flight of six tasters. The exact beer lineup can change, so you should not book this expecting particular styles or labels. What you can count on is variety within the brewery’s range and a guided explanation as you taste.

I like this format because six small pours let you compare beers instead of judging one drink in isolation. You can pay attention to differences in colour, bitterness, sweetness, aroma, and body as the guide explains what is happening in the brewing process.

The tasting also gives beginners an easy way into beer. You do not need to arrive knowing the difference between ale and lager, or be able to name every hop variety. Ask questions as you go. The guide’s role is not just to hand over glasses, but to connect each sample with the work taking place in the brewhouse.

There is one practical point to keep in mind: the information does not give the size of each taster. Treat the flight as a guided sampling rather than six full pints. The larger drinks come separately through the welcome beer, brewery pour, tank beer, and closing beer.

The brewhouse adds substance to the tasting

The brewery tour is more than a walk past equipment. You are shown around the brewhouse and given a look at how beer moves from raw ingredients through the brewing process. The available details do not specify every stage or piece of machinery, so I would not expect a full technical masterclass.

Still, the timing is right. You taste the beer, then see the place where the brewing work begins. That link makes the visit more useful than a standard bar tasting. When the guide talks about heat, tanks, or the brewing process, you have the equipment in front of you rather than a slide or a printed menu.

For beer fans, the brewery setting is the point. Camden Market is usually associated with food, shopping, and quick drinks. This visit gives you a closer look at the production side of the market, while keeping you in a compact, easy-to-reach setting.

Drinking from the tank is the signature moment

The most distinctive part of the experience is the tank pour. You are not simply tasting beer from a tap in the taproom. You get beer straight from the tank, an unusual detail that gives the tour its identity.

The appeal is partly practical and partly theatrical. You are seeing the beer close to its source, and the guide can explain where it sits in the brewing process. It also gives the tour a memorable centrepiece. Many brewery visits blur together after the first sample. A tank pour is easier to remember.

I would keep expectations sensible. Tank beer is not automatically better than every beer served from a normal tap. The value is in the access and the connection to the brewery. You are being shown something specific to the working operation, not promised a magical change in flavour.

You also receive a beer in the brewhouse. That is separate from the tank pour and makes the visit feel generous from start to finish. Because the precise serving sizes are not stated, you should pace yourself and drink water before or after the tour.

Counting the included beer

The ticket includes:

• A welcome beer
• A guided flight of six tasters
• A beer in the brewery
• A beer straight from the tank
• A final beer after completing the tour

That is a lot of beer for a 1.5-hour activity, even though the serving sizes are not provided. The experience provider presents it as more beer than any other brewery tour, and the package is certainly built around quantity as well as access.

I see this as the strongest value point. At the advertised price of $33 per person, also shown as £30, you are paying for a guided activity plus a substantial tasting package. A simple bar crawl could cost less if you chose small drinks and skipped the tour, but it would not give you the brewhouse access or tank pour.

The amount may be less of an advantage if you are a light drinker. You can enjoy the explanations without rushing, but the package is designed for people who genuinely like beer. If you are driving, have an early appointment, or do not drink much, the generous inclusion may not translate into better value for you.

Why the guides matter

The strongest personal praise goes to Mick. He is described as engaging, funny, relaxed, and good at explaining both beer and brewing. One account also singles out Shay for being welcoming and generous with the pours.

That combination is useful. A guide can know the process but still give a dull tour. Here, the session appears to lean on conversation, humour, and accessible explanations rather than stiff technical language. The comments also point to interesting details about temperature and the brewing process, so the talk should have enough substance for people who already enjoy beer.

Guide availability can change, so I would not assume Mick will lead every departure. If you are hoping specifically for him, ask the brewery when booking. No matter who leads the session, the tour is conducted in English.

Who will enjoy this most

I would book this for adults who want a social, beer-first activity in Camden Market. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are happy to taste several beers alongside other people and listen to a guide explain how they are made.

It is also a good choice for someone who has already done a standard brewery tour and wants a more direct serving experience. The tank pour gives it a feature that goes beyond the usual flight and gift-shop finish.

You may want to choose something else if you are under 18, do not drink alcohol, or want a family activity. Children under 18 are not permitted. The tour is also not a fit if open-toed shoes are your only footwear for the day, since those are not allowed.

Camden Market makes the location convenient

Starting and ending at 3 Locks Brewing Company keeps the plan simple. You check in with the bar team, take the tour, and return to the same brewery rather than dealing with a second meeting point.

The market setting also makes this easy to pair with other plans. You could schedule it around time in Camden Market, but leave enough space for the tasting to finish without rushing to another booking. The tour itself lasts 1.5 hours, and the included alcohol makes it sensible to keep the rest of your schedule flexible.

The information does not provide a group size, seating details, or a full description of the brewery layout. I would not assume the entire route is quiet, spacious, or suitable for every mobility need. If those details matter to you, contact 3 Locks Brewery before reserving.

Discount after the tour

Every tour participant receives 10% off beer and merchandise in the taproom. This is a small extra, but it improves the value if you already planned to buy a can, bottle, glass, shirt, or another brewery item.

I would not choose the tour solely for the discount. The main value comes from the guided tasting, brewery access, and tank pour. Think of the discount as a useful finish, especially if you want to take a little of the brewery home.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

The price is listed as $33 per person, with the ticket described as £30. Check the live booking page for the current starting times, since the available departures can vary.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your London plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms make it easier to fit the tour into a busy visit without committing your entire day far in advance.

Arrive ready to check in with the bar team. Wear closed-toe shoes, and remember that the activity is only available in English.

Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company?

I would book it if you want a generous, adult-only beer experience with more drinking built in than the usual brewery visit. The six-beer flight gives you range, while the brewhouse and tank pour provide the access that makes the activity more than a bar tasting.

The strongest reason to go is the mix of quantity and character: welcome beer, six tasters, a brewery drink, tank-fresh beer, and a final pour in 90 minutes. Mick’s relaxed humour is another major plus when he is leading the session.

Skip it if you want a quiet cultural tour, a family activity, or a detailed technical course with published beer styles and exact serving sizes. For beer lovers who are already planning time in Camden Market, though, this is a practical and unusually full package for the price.

FAQ

Where does the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour start?

The tour starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market. Check in with the bar team.

How long does the brewery tour last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours.

What beer is included?

You receive a welcome beer, a guided flight of six tasters, a beer in the brewery, beer straight from the tank, and a final beer at the end of the tour.

Is the beer served straight from the tank?

Yes. The experience includes a beer poured straight from the tank.

Is a guided tasting included?

Yes. An English-speaking guide leads a tasting of six beers.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18 years old.

What should I wear?

Open-toed shoes are not allowed. Wear closed-toe footwear.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.