3 Locks Brewing Company: Guided tasting and brewery tour

The most unusual part of this 90-minute brewery tour is simple: you drink beer straight from the tank. Not a polished taproom pour, but beer taken right from where it is being made. The tour also visits Camden Market’s first brewery and includes a generous run of tastings.

I like the clear value here. You receive a welcome beer, six guided tasters, a beer in the brewhouse, a tank pour, and a final beer. I also like the relaxed teaching style, with guides such as Mick and Michael mixing brewing information with jokes rather than turning the visit into a dry lecture.

The main thing to consider is the beer volume. This is for adults who want a serious tasting session, not a quick look around a brewery. You must be at least 18, wear closed shoes, and allow enough time to enjoy the samples at a sensible pace.

Key points to know before you book

• Beer straight from the tank: The tour’s most distinctive moment is a fresh pour taken directly from the brewery tank.
• Six guided tasters: The flight gives you a broad look at the beers being made at 3 Locks Brewing Company.
• Camden Market location: You visit the first brewery associated with Camden Market, making this easy to pair with time at the market.
• A beer-heavy package: The ticket includes a welcome beer, six tasters, a brewhouse beer, a tank beer, and a final beer.
• Guides with personality: Mick and Michael are praised for clear explanations, humor, and an easygoing approach. Shay is also noted for being warm and generous with pours.
• Adult-only activity: Children under 18 cannot join, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What makes the tank pour special

Many brewery tours end with a glass at the bar. This one takes you closer to the working brewery. The tank pour gives you a direct connection to the production process, since the beer comes from the vessel where it is stored or conditioned rather than from a standard tap.

I like that this is more than a photo opportunity. It gives the guide a natural point to explain how beer changes during brewing and storage. You can ask questions while looking at the equipment, then taste the result in a way that feels tied to the place.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise a particular beer style, tank type, or production stage. The exact pour may vary with what is available on the day. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not book expecting one specific beer.

The tank moment is best understood as a brewery experience rather than a luxury tasting. You are not being served a rare vintage beer in a formal setting. You are getting close to the source, with the practical sights and sounds of a working brewing space around you.

Starting at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market

You check in with the bar team at 3 Locks Brewing Company. That keeps the start simple. You do not need to find a separate meeting point elsewhere in Camden Market, then travel as a group to the brewery.

The location matters because you can build the visit into a wider Camden outing. The tour begins and ends at the same brewery, so you can continue exploring the market afterward or arrive early and spend time nearby before the session starts.

The brewery is presented as Camden Market’s first ever brewery. That gives the tour a useful local angle. You are not only tasting beer in a pub; you are visiting a brewing operation tied directly to one of London’s best-known market areas.

I would arrive with enough time to check in calmly. The stated meeting instruction is to speak with the bar team, and the session lasts about an hour and a half. Since the tour includes several tasting points, arriving rushed could make the opening feel more hectic than it needs to be.

The welcome beer sets the pace

The first included drink is a welcome beer. This is a good way to settle into the tasting and gives you something to enjoy before the more structured part begins.

A welcome beer also helps the guide introduce the brewery in a relaxed way. The session is not built around standing silently beside machinery. It starts with the social side of beer, then moves into the making of it.

Because the full package contains several drinks, I would treat the opening beer as the start of a tasting rather than a drink to finish quickly. You have time to notice how the beer tastes before comparing it with the six tasters that follow.

The supplied information does not state the welcome beer’s style or serving size. You should therefore think of it as a sample of the brewery’s current offering, not a guaranteed signature beer.

Six tasters with guidance, not guesswork

The central tasting includes a flight of six beers. This is where the tour offers its best chance to compare different flavors and brewing choices side by side.

Six tasters is enough variety to make the session feel substantial without requiring you to commit to six full pints. The guide can explain what you are drinking and point out differences in ingredients, temperature, brewing method, or flavor.

The available feedback places strong emphasis on the guidance. Mick is praised for being engaging and informed, while Michael is described as friendly and funny. A separate account highlights explanations of the brewing process, with attention to details such as temperature. That suggests you can expect useful information without a stiff classroom tone.

I like this format for people who enjoy beer but do not know much about brewing. You do not need to arrive with a vocabulary of hops, yeast, and malt. The guide’s job is to make the process understandable while you taste the results.

The exact six beers are not listed in advance. That is worth noting if you are hoping to sample one particular style. The changing selection may be a plus for repeat visitors, but it means the experience is about discovery rather than a fixed menu.

Inside the brewhouse

The tour includes a full look around the brewhouse, along with a beer enjoyed in the brewery. This part connects the tasting glasses to the equipment used to make the beer.

A brewery can look technical at first, with tanks, pipes, and temperature controls doing most of the work. A live guide makes those objects easier to understand. You can see where the process happens, then hear why each stage matters.

The brewhouse stop also breaks up the tasting. You are not seated at a table for 90 minutes. You move between drinking, listening, and looking at the working setting.

The tour details do not promise access to every production area or describe a particular brewing schedule. You should expect a guided brewhouse visit, not a full behind-the-scenes examination of every corner of the company.

Still, this is an important part of the value. If you only wanted beer, you could order a drink at the taproom. The brewhouse visit gives you context and helps explain why the beers taste different from one another.

The final beer and the question of value

The package includes a beer in the brewery, the tank pour, and a final beer after you complete the tour. Along with the welcome beer and six tasters, that makes this one of the more generous brewery tasting packages available at this price point.

The advertised cost is £30, shown in the supplied information as about $33 per person. Prices can change with booking conditions and currency exchange, but the key point is what you receive for that fee.

You are paying for:

• About 90 minutes with a live English-speaking guide
• A welcome beer
• Six guided tasters
• A beer in the brewhouse
• Beer straight from the tank
• A final beer
• A 10 percent discount on beers and merchandise in the taproom

I see good value here for someone who intends to enjoy the full tasting. A standard brewery tour with one sample can feel thin, especially when the admission price is close to the cost of a meal or several drinks. This package gives you repeated tasting opportunities and direct access to the brewing area.

The value is weaker if you do not drink much beer or prefer a short, quiet visit. Several pours are included, and the tour is designed around them. If your main interest is architecture, Camden Market, or a quick introduction to the company, you may find the tasting schedule more than you need.

The 10 percent taproom discount is a useful extra if you want to buy another beer or merchandise after the tour. It is not a reason by itself to book, but it gives you a small saving if you plan to stay on.

The guides make the difference

The strongest personal detail from the experience is the guide style. Mick is singled out for energy, humor, and a relaxed approach. Michael is also praised for being friendly and funny, while Shay is noted for being generous with beer and warm with the group.

That matters because brewery tours can easily become a list of technical terms. Good guidance turns the equipment into a story you can follow. You learn what is happening, taste the beer, and get a chance to ask questions without feeling that you need expert knowledge first.

I would book this for someone who likes a guide with personality. The tour is not described as formal or highly polished. Its appeal comes from a human host who can explain the process, make jokes, and keep the tasting moving.

The exact guide is not guaranteed in the supplied details. Mick, Michael, and Shay are all associated with the experience, but you should not assume one particular person will lead every departure.

Who should book this Camden brewery tour?

This suits adult beer fans who want more than a bar visit. You will get the most from it if you enjoy comparing beers, asking how they are made, and seeing the place where the drinks are produced.

It is also a good fit for a small group looking for an easy activity in Camden. The 1.5-hour length leaves room for other plans, and the start and finish at the brewery make the outing straightforward.

I would especially recommend it to:

• People new to craft beer who want friendly explanations
• Beer drinkers who enjoy tasting several styles in one sitting
• Visitors already planning time at Camden Market
• Couples or friends looking for an adult activity
• Repeat London visitors who want a local brewery experience rather than another major attraction

It is less suitable for children, non-drinkers, or anyone looking for a tour with no alcohol. It may also be a poor match if you want a detailed technical course in brewing, since the focus is split between tasting, humor, and a practical brewery walk.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed footwear is not allowed, so sandals are a bad choice even if the weather is warm.

Booking flexibility and basic details

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. The listed duration is 1.5 hours, though you should allow a little extra time if you plan to use the taproom discount afterward.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Camden plans are not fully settled.

The activity is for people aged 18 and over. The information provided does not give a group size, accessibility details, or a specific beer list, so you should contact the provider directly if any of those points affect your decision.

Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company?

I would book this if you want a generous, beer-first brewery visit with a friendly guide and one unusual extra: drinking directly from the tank. The six-beer flight, brewhouse visit, and several additional pours make the £30 price feel fair for committed beer drinkers.

I would skip it if you want a short sightseeing stop, do not drink alcohol, or need a precise list of beers in advance. For everyone else, 3 Locks Brewing Company offers a practical Camden activity with plenty to taste and enough brewing detail to make the drinks more meaningful.

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 when you arrive.

How long does the brewery tour last?

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

How many beers are included?

The package includes 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 tank beer really served from the tank?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

What should I wear?

Open-toed shoes are not allowed. Wear closed-toe shoes for the brewery visit.

Is a taproom discount included?

Yes. Tour participants receive 10 percent off beers and merchandise in the taproom.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.