3 Locks Brewing Company: Guided tasting and brewery tour

The best part of this tour is wonderfully direct: you get to drink beer straight from the tank. At 3 Locks Brewing Company, your 90-minute visit combines a full brewhouse tour with a generous tasting session, so you are not simply looking at stainless-steel equipment while someone talks.

I like the six-beer guided flight, which gives you a proper range of the brewery’s work. I also like the generous format: welcome beer, brewery beer, tank beer, and a final beer are all included. The only real caution is that this is an adults-only activity, and you must wear closed shoes.

Mick has earned especially warm praise for his humour and easy manner, while Michael and Shay are also named as friendly hosts. Expect an English-language tour that keeps the mood relaxed, but still explains the brewing process. At around $33 per person, or £30 as stated for the ticket, this is built for people who want to taste plenty rather than sip one token sample.

Key points at a glance

• Drink directly from the brewing tank: This is the unusual moment that sets the visit apart from a standard taproom tasting.
• Taste six different beers: The guided flight lets you compare the brewery’s range in a structured way.
• Camden Market’s first brewery: You visit a working brewery inside one of London’s best-known market areas.
• Several beers are included: The welcome beer, brewery beer, tank beer, and closing beer add up quickly.
• Guides bring humour to the process: Mick, Michael, and Shay are associated with a friendly, relaxed presentation.
• A 10% discount follows the tour: You can save on additional beer and merchandise in the taproom.

Why the tank beer is the star

Many brewery tours end with a tasting at the bar. Here, the tasting reaches into the working brewery itself. You are served beer straight from the tank, which gives the visit a more hands-on feel than a simple sampling session.

That detail matters because it connects the drink in your glass with the equipment you have just seen. You are not only hearing how beer is made, you are seeing where part of the process happens and then tasting the result at the source.

I would treat the tank pour as the tour’s signature moment, but not the only reason to book. The experience includes several separate drinks, and the tank beer is one part of a much larger tasting plan. If you enjoy variety, the six-beer flight will probably be just as useful as the tank pour.

Starting at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market

You begin at 3 Locks Brewing Company, where you check in with the bar team. The setting is Camden Market, and the brewery has the distinction of being the market’s first brewery.

The meeting point is simple, but you should arrive ready to check in at the bar rather than expecting a separate visitor center. From there, the group stays at the brewery and returns to the same place at the end.

Camden Market gives the visit a useful sense of place. You are not heading out to a remote industrial estate for a brewery tour. The brewery sits within a famous London market destination, making it easy to pair with other time in Camden. The supplied details do not give a specific meeting time, so check the available start times when you book.

The welcome beer sets the tone

The first included drink is a welcome beer. It gives you something in hand while the visit gets underway and avoids the common brewery-tour problem of waiting through a long introduction before tasting anything.

This is also your first chance to get a sense of the brewery’s style. Since the visit includes six tasters later, I would not rush this opening beer. Notice what you like about it, then use the guided flight to compare it with the other pours.

The tour is aimed at adults who already enjoy beer or want a relaxed introduction to brewing. It is not suitable for children under 18, and there is no indication that a non-alcoholic alternative is included.

Six beers, with guidance rather than guesswork

The main tasting is a flight of six beers. That is a useful number. One or two tasters can leave you with a vague impression, while six give you enough range to notice differences in style, flavour, strength, or finish.

The tasting is guided, so you are not left to identify everything on your own. The tour explains the beer and brewing process as you go, with the hosts using humour to keep the session light. Mick is specifically associated with an engaging, funny approach, while Michael and Shay are also named as hosts who make the experience friendly.

I like this format because it works for both serious beer fans and curious beginners. You can ask questions if you want more detail, or simply enjoy the pours and pick your favourites. The exact six beers are not specified in the supplied information, so do not book expecting particular styles or labels.

The amount served is another practical point. The experience is promoted as including more beer than other brewery tours, and the package includes far more than the six tasting glasses alone. Plan your pace sensibly. This is a tasting tour, but it is also a fairly beer-heavy 90 minutes.

Touring the brewhouse

After or around the tasting, you take a full tour of the brewhouse. This is where the visit moves beyond drinking and gives you a look at the place where the beer is made.

The available details do not name each piece of equipment or describe every brewing stage, so I would not expect a technical production class. Instead, think of it as a guided introduction to the working brewery, linked to the beers you are tasting.

That connection makes the brewhouse portion worthwhile. You can hear about brewing while standing in the space where brewing happens, rather than listening to a generic explanation in a separate room. The guides’ humour also seems to be part of the appeal, especially if you prefer a conversational tour to a formal lecture.

The brewery setting may not suit you if you want a quiet, highly technical tasting. The tone is relaxed, and the strongest praise goes to the hosts’ warmth and wit. You are booking a social brewery visit, not a specialist certification course.

Beer in the brewery, then beer from the tank

The package includes a beer in the brewery as well as the tank pour. These are listed as separate parts of the experience, so you get another drink in the brewhouse before reaching the most distinctive serving point.

This layering is what gives the tour its value. A standard tasting often means a flight and little else. Here, the drinks arrive at different stages of the visit, giving you a reason to move through the brewery rather than staying at the bar from start to finish.

Then comes the beer straight from the tank. You should pay attention to the setting and the explanation around it, since this is the part that makes the visit feel tied to the production process. The details do not specify whether this pour is one of the six tasters or an additional serving, so I would simply expect it as its own included beer, as described.

The final beer and the taproom discount

The tour ends with a final beer to mark the finish. It is a cheerful way to close the visit, particularly after the brewhouse tour and several tasting pours.

You also receive a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merchandise. That matters if you want to stay for another drink or take home branded items, though the discount does not mean those purchases are included in the tour price.

The final beer can also help you decide what you liked best. If one of the six tasters caught your attention, the taproom is the natural place to explore further. The exact taproom selection is not provided, so I would not count on a specific beer being available after the tour.

Is £30, or about $33, good value?

The supplied price is £30 per person, with the experience also shown at $33. Currency conversions change, so check the amount shown for your booking date and location.

On inclusions alone, the price is strong. You receive:

• A welcome beer
• Six guided tasting pours
• A full brewhouse tour
• A beer in the brewery
• Beer straight from the tank
• A final beer
• A 10% taproom discount on beer and merchandise

The value depends on what you want from a brewery visit. If you are looking for one drink and a quick explanation, this may be more beer and more time than you need. If you enjoy sampling several beers and want a working-brewery setting, the package gives you a lot for 1.5 hours.

I would also factor in the guide. The most repeated praise centers on Mick’s humour, clear presentation, and generous approach, with Michael and Shay also named positively. A good brewery host can turn tanks and brewing terms into an enjoyable story. Here, the human side appears to be a major part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits beer enthusiasts, couples, friends, and adults who want a social activity in Camden. It also works well if you are curious about brewing but do not want a long, academic presentation.

You should choose it if you value generous samples, a working brewery, and a guide who keeps things relaxed. The six-beer flight gives beginners a useful introduction, while the tank pour adds something unusual for people who have already visited breweries elsewhere.

It is less suitable if you do not drink alcohol, need a child-friendly activity, or dislike being around a series of beer servings in a short period. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 18, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

The information does not provide group size, step-free access, seating details, or the exact route through the brewery. If any of those points affect your decision, contact 3 Locks Brewery before booking rather than assuming the space will meet your needs.

Practical details for a smooth visit

The tour lasts 1.5 hours and is led in English. You check in with the bar team at 3 Locks Brewing Company, then finish back at the brewery.

Wear closed-toe shoes. This is the one clear clothing rule, and you should take it seriously because open-toed shoes are not allowed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Camden plans are still taking shape.

Start times vary, so check availability when you choose your date. Since the experience is built around several beers, I would avoid scheduling it immediately before another alcohol-focused activity.

My verdict on 3 Locks Brewing Company

I would book this tour if I wanted a generous, beer-first brewery visit in Camden. The tank pour gives it a clear point of difference, while the six-beer flight and several extra servings make the £30 price feel fair.

The best reason to go is the combination of format and hosts. You get a real brewhouse tour, plenty to taste, and a relaxed presentation led by people such as Mick, Michael, and Shay. The main drawbacks are simple: it is adults-only, it may be too beer-heavy for casual drinkers, and the supplied details do not promise specific beer styles or equipment explanations.

For a visitor who wants to taste broadly, learn the basics, and leave Camden with a memorable brewery story, this is a strong pick. Wear closed shoes, arrive ready to check in at the bar, and pace yourself through the many included beers.

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.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

How many beers are included in the tasting?

A guided flight of six tasting beers is included.

Is a welcome beer included?

Yes. The package includes a welcome beer.

Can I drink beer straight from the tank?

Yes. Beer straight from the tank is included.

Does the tour include a brewhouse visit?

Yes. The experience includes a full tour of the brewhouse.

Is there a beer at the end of the tour?

Yes. A final beer is included after you complete the tour.

Are children allowed on the tour?

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

What should I wear?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is payment required at the time of booking?

The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.