Beer straight from the tank? Yes. This 3 Locks Brewing Company tour in Camden Market is built around hands-on beer moments: guided tasting, brewhouse views, and a proper pour straight from the tank. I like that the experience feels straightforward and beer-first, with guides such as Mick and Shay bringing the humour and clarity.

Two things I love most: the six-beer guided tasting format (so you can actually compare styles), and the sheer amount of beer included for the time. A fair consideration: it’s 18+ only and you can’t wear open-toed shoes, so you’ll want to plan what you wear before you arrive.

Key things to know before you go

• Tank-to-glass beer: you’ll drink beer straight out of the tank, not just from a regular tap
• Six beers in one tasting: structured flight so you can follow along and compare
• More beer included: welcome beer plus multiple pours during the tour
• Brewhouse tour while you drink: you see how beer gets made, then taste the results
• Humour + expertise from the guides: Mick and Shay are highlighted for witty, helpful guidance
• Taproom perk at the end: a 10% discount on beers and merch after the tour

Camden Market’s brewery tour that actually centers on beer

If you’re in London and you want something different from the usual pub crawl, this is a clean bet. The big reason is simple: the whole tour is designed around beer, not speeches. You’re not just walking past tanks and pretending to understand the process. You’re tasting while you learn what each beer is trying to do.

And Camden Market is the right setting for this kind of stop. The area can be lively and a little chaotic, but the brewery portion gives you a focused pocket of beer culture. 3 Locks is also described as Camden Market’s first ever brewery, which gives the visit a real local angle instead of feeling like a generic “tour anywhere” experience.

Check-in at 3 Locks: where to start without wasting time

The tour starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company, and you check in with the bar team. That matters because you’ll avoid the classic problem of arriving, hunting for the right spot, and then missing the first pours.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early. With a 1.5-hour experience, even a small delay can squeeze the tasting flow. If you’ve got a tight day schedule in Camden, this timing is usually manageable as long as you don’t cut it too close.

Two practical notes you should keep in mind from the start:

• It’s English-language with a live guide
• Open-toed shoes aren’t allowed, so wear something closed-toe and comfortable for standing around

The core experience: a guided tasting of 6 beers

The heart of the tour is a guided tasting of 6 beers. I like this approach because you get variety without turning it into an endless sampling session. A flight gives you a structure: you can track what you’re tasting and why it’s different.

You also get a welcome beer before the tasting portion. That’s a small detail, but it changes the vibe. Instead of starting cold, you settle in, get your bearings, then move into the comparison flight.

The way this works for you as a visitor:

• You’ll learn what to notice in each beer (not just “this one is hoppy”)
• You get enough time per beer to register flavour and style
• You’re more likely to leave remembering the beers you liked, not just how many you had

From the guide style described in the experience feedback, the best moments tend to come from guides like Mick who blend humour with clear explanations. People also mention Shay as especially nice and generous with the beer flow. That combination helps if you’re new to beer or if you already think you know your ales and lagers.

Brewhouse time: seeing what you just tasted

After the tasting, you’ll get a full tour of the brewhouse. This is where the experience stops being just a drink service and becomes a learning moment you can actually connect to flavour.

Why this matters: beer tastes like ingredients and process. If you only drink, it can feel random. If you see what’s happening behind the scenes, the tasting makes more sense. You get to associate what you’re tasting with the steps in brewing.

This is also one reason the tour feels different from standard “walk around and drink one pint” brewery visits. Here, the brewhouse tour is paired with drinking inside the brewery setting, so you’re not separated from the production area by distance or time.

The big star moment: beer straight from the tank

Here’s the headline part: you get to drink beer straight out of the tank. That’s not a marketing gimmick wordplay. It changes what you’re experiencing because it’s served directly from where the beer is being held, rather than through a longer chain of handling.

If you like the idea of trying beer in a more direct, process-linked way, this is the moment you’ll remember. It also creates a nice arc for the tour:

1. Taste a range of styles in the flight
2. Learn as you tour the brewhouse
3. Finish with the tank-to-glass pour

They also include a beer in the brewhouse and a separate tank pour during the overall tour flow. Put together with the welcome beer, the tasting flight, and the final beer, the tour leans into generous servings.

There’s one practical consideration here: since you’re tasting multiple beers plus extra pours, pace yourself. You don’t want to rush through the tasting flight and lose the chance to compare flavours while the guide is talking.

What you get at the end: final beer and a 10% taproom discount

At the end, you get a well-done you completed the tour final beer—so you’re not stuck leaving immediately after the last tasting. I like this because it gives the experience a finish line.

You also get a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch. That’s a real value add if you plan to stay for one more drink after. Even if you only buy a single additional beer, the discount can soften the cost of the whole outing.

If you like souvenirs, merch discounts can be a bonus too. Just keep it practical: don’t buy something bulky unless you’re already set for the day.

Price and value: is £30 ($33-ish) worth 90 minutes?

The stated ticket price is £30, about $33 per person, for 1.5 hours. For a beer-focused tour, the question isn’t whether it’s cheap. It’s whether you’re getting enough beer and enough guidance to justify the spend.

Here’s why the value can work well:

• Welcome beer + a guided flight of 6 beers
• Additional beer pours during the brewhouse portion
• A tank-to-glass moment, which you don’t typically get on basic brewery tours
• A final beer at the end
• A 10% discount for more beer and merch in the taproom

They also highlight that they include more beer than other brewery experiences. While you shouldn’t treat that as a guarantee without your own comparison, the structure you get here is clearly designed to deliver multiple tastings rather than one or two.

Who this tends to fit best:

• People who want a brewery tour but don’t want to feel like they’re paying for mostly standing around
• Beer fans who enjoy learning the process, not just drinking
• Groups that are happy to spend 90 minutes in one place and keep the energy moving

If your main goal is a long, deep, slow-paced history lesson, this might feel more beer-centric than academic. But if your goal is tasting plus practical brewing context, it hits the sweet spot.

Who should book (and who should skip)

This tour is not suitable for children under 18, so it’s an adults-only outing. Also, because open-toed shoes aren’t allowed, plan for closed-toe comfort.

Book it if you:

• Like trying multiple beer styles back-to-back
• Want a guide who uses humour and straightforward explanations (Mick and Shay are specifically called out for this)
• Care about process and flavour connection—seeing the brewhouse while you taste

Skip it if you:

• Are sensitive to alcohol or prefer very light tasting experiences
• Want a long walking tour spread over many stops
• Need very detailed information about brewing equipment beyond what’s typically covered in a tasting tour (the format here is fast-moving and centred on sampling)

A simple plan for your day around this tour

To get the most out of 90 minutes in Camden, plan your timing like this:

• Put the tour earlier rather than at the very end of your day, so you’re not exhausted
• Don’t schedule two major activities back-to-back unless you’re confident about transport time in the area
• Wear closed-toe shoes and something you don’t mind standing in during the brewhouse segment

If you finish and feel like one more drink, the taproom discount is there for a reason. Just keep an eye on how much you’ve already had during the guided flow.

Should you book the 3 Locks Guided Tasting and Brewery Tour?

If you love beer and you want a brewery experience that’s direct, fun, and built around tasting, I think it’s an easy yes. The standout factor is the combination of a six-beer guided flight plus multiple included pours, capped with beer served straight from the tank. Add in English live guidance from people like Mick and Shay—known for humour and clear insights—and it becomes a tour that’s both educational and genuinely satisfying.

If you’d rather have a lighter tasting or you’re limited by clothing or comfort rules, consider that upfront. But for most adults who want real beer time in Camden Market, this is strong value for your hour and a half.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The ticket price is £30 per person (about $33).

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 a final beer at the end.

Do I get any discount after the tour?

Yes. You’ll get a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch.

Where do I check in?

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

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live tour guide provides the tour in English.

Are children allowed?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

Is there any dress code?

Open-toed shoes aren’t allowed.

Can I cancel or change plans?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

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