London: Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers

Hackney’s Five Points Brewery lets you see beer being made in a real working brewery, not a polished museum display. You’ll walk through the brewhouse and packaging area, then settle on a mezzanine terrace above the action with four fresh beers to taste.

I like the useful mix of brewing facts and London beer stories, and I like that the portions are generous enough to make the tasting feel worthwhile. The main caution is that this is a compact 90-minute visit, so anyone expecting a long technical brewery course may find it fairly light.

Key points to know

• Four one-third-pint tastings: Sample four Five Points beers served fresh from the tank.
• Working Hackney brewery: See the brewhouse and packaging lines while the business operates around you.
• Mezzanine tasting terrace: Sit above the brewery as you hear about brewing science and London beer history.
• Friendly guiding style: A host such as Bex may lead the visit, with a relaxed approach and plenty of practical explanation.
• Useful after-tour savings: Receive 10% off a round of drinks and 10% off food in the taproom.
• Adults only: You must be 18 or older, and open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed.

Inside Five Points Brewery in Hackney

The appeal here is simple: you are visiting an active independent brewery rather than a grand historic site repackaged for tourists. Five Points Brewing Company operates in Hackney, and the tour gives you a look at the machinery, work areas, and daily process behind the beer served in its taproom.

You begin by checking in at the main bar. If you arrive early, you can order a pint while you wait, though that is worth approaching with care. You will be tasting four more beers during the tour, and arriving already full of beer may dull the differences between them.

The setting is useful for anyone who wants to understand how a small brewery works. You are not only hearing a description of brewing. You are seeing the brewhouse and packaging lines up close, with a guide explaining how the equipment fits into the process.

The tour is conducted in English. Since the information centers on the brewery’s methods, beer science, and London’s brewing past, a good command of English will help you get the most from the jokes and explanations.

The brewhouse and packaging lines

The first main part of the visit takes you behind the scenes. Your guide explains what goes into making craft beer and points out the equipment used in the brewery.

The supplied details do not promise a hands-on brewing session, a chance to operate machinery, or access to every part of the building. Think of this as a guided look at the brewery’s working areas, with the emphasis on understanding the process rather than making beer yourself.

That distinction matters. If you enjoy seeing how an independent company functions, this is the right kind of tour. You get context for the beer you are about to taste, and you can connect the equipment with the finished drink. If you already know a great deal about brewing, the explanations may feel familiar rather than technical.

The packaging lines add another useful angle. Brewing does not finish when the liquid is ready. Beer still has to be prepared for service and distribution, and seeing that side of the business helps explain the work behind an apparently simple pint.

The tour also gives you a sense of scale. Five Points is presented as a thriving independent business in the heart of Hackney, so the visit is as much about local production as it is about alcohol. You are looking at a company that makes, packages, and serves its own beer in one place.

Four beers fresh from the tank

After the brewery walk, you sit on a mezzanine beer terrace overlooking the brewery. This is the most appealing part for many people because you can taste the beer while still watching the place at work below.

You receive four different beers, each served in a one-third-pint measure. That works out to roughly one and one-third pints in total, enough to compare several styles without turning the tasting into a long drinking session.

The exact beers are not specified, so you should not book expecting particular labels or styles. The selection can be treated as a sample of what Five Points is brewing and serving at the time of your visit.

Freshness is part of the point. The beers are served from the tank, giving you a direct connection between the brewery and the glass. Your guide can explain the flavors, brewing choices, and science behind the samples as you work through them.

I would take notes only if you are seriously comparing beers. For most people, it is better to pay attention to how each sample differs and ask questions while the drink is in front of you. A tasting works best when you compare rather than simply finish four small beers one after another.

The portions received strong praise for not feeling tight. That is useful because some brewery tastings offer tiny sips that leave you feeling you paid for a lecture with a few drops on the side. Here, the four one-third-pint samples provide a proper introduction to the range available.

London beer stories with a local angle

The tour is not limited to ingredients and machinery. Your guide also tells stories from London’s beer history, including unusual facts and humorous episodes.

That gives the visit a wider setting. You learn about Five Points as a current independent brewery, but you also hear how beer fits into the story of the capital. The historical section is designed to entertain as well as inform, so expect lively anecdotes rather than a formal academic lecture.

This can be a strong part of the experience for anyone who wants more than a tasting flight. Beer is tied to work, trade, pubs, neighborhoods, and daily life, and London has plenty of material for stories. The exact content will depend on your guide, but the format promises a blend of history, science, and brewery background.

A host named Bex has been specifically praised for being lovely, while another assessment described the guide as fun and well informed. Since guides can vary by date, you should not assume Bex will lead every departure. Still, the available feedback suggests that a warm, conversational style is part of the experience.

What makes the visit good value at $26.94

At $26.94 per person, the price is reasonable if you want both a brewery tour and a proper tasting. You are paying for 90 minutes of guided time, access to working areas, four one-third-pint beers, and explanations about brewing and London beer culture.

The value improves if you plan to stay after the tour. Participants receive 10% off their first round of drinks at the taproom bar and 10% off the food menu. These discounts do not transform the price, but they make the brewery a more practical place to continue your afternoon.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want to drink. You could spend less on a pint elsewhere, but that would not include a guided look at the brewhouse, packaging area, or the stories behind the business.

It also makes sense for a small group with mixed levels of beer interest. Someone who loves brewing will have machinery and process to discuss. Someone who simply enjoys trying local beer gets four samples and a comfortable place to sit. The tour does not require you to be a beer expert.

One point to remember is that the experience is fairly short. Ninety minutes gives you a clear introduction, but it does not leave much room for a long question-and-answer session or a slow tour of every stage of production.

Timing, clothing, and practical details

The activity lasts 1.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. The schedule matters if you are fitting it between other Hackney plans, so confirm the departure time before booking.

You meet at the main bar and return to the same point at the end. This is convenient because you do not need to arrange a separate pickup or find your way to another venue after the tasting.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed footwear are not allowed. This is a sensible brewery rule, but it is easy to overlook if you are visiting London in warm weather.

Bring a passport or identity card. A copy is accepted according to the activity information. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 18, and the provider can refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated or showing anti-social behavior.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. The available information does not spell out every detail of the route or facilities, so if you need a particular access arrangement, contact the provider before booking.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your London schedule is still shifting.

Staying in the taproom afterward

The official tour ends back at the meeting point, but you are welcome to remain at the taproom. This is where the 10% discount becomes useful.

You receive 10% off your first round of drinks and 10% off food. The information does not specify the menu, so do not book with a particular dish in mind. Instead, treat the discount as a reason to keep the brewery as part of your afternoon rather than rushing away as soon as the guided portion ends.

The taproom also gives you time to return to a beer you liked during the tasting. Four samples can tell you what suits your taste, and the discount lets you order a full serving afterward at a lower price.

If you are planning a busy sightseeing day, this extension may be the part you skip. If you want a relaxed stop in Hackney, it makes the visit feel less rushed and gives you a chance to talk over the tour.

Who should book this brewery tour?

I would recommend this for adults who enjoy craft beer, independent businesses, and short guided experiences with a social feel. It is also a good choice if you want something different from London’s major museums and monuments.

It suits first-time brewery visitors especially well. You get the basic production story, a look at the equipment, a tasting flight, and some local beer history without needing prior knowledge.

Beer fans with more experience should keep expectations in check. The tour is not advertised as an advanced brewing workshop, and its 90-minute format means the technical detail may remain at an introductory level.

It is also a good option for an afternoon plan because the route begins and ends at the taproom. You can arrive early for a pint, take the tour, and stay for discounted drinks or food afterward.

I would not choose it if you dislike alcohol, cannot wear closed shoes, or want a long, highly technical examination of brewing. The provider may also refuse service if you arrive intoxicated, so this should be an early or moderate stop rather than the final stage of a heavy drinking day.

Should you book Five Points Brewery?

Book it if you want four well-sized tastings, a real look at an independent Hackney brewery, and an entertaining introduction to London beer culture. The price is fair for the combination of guided access and beer, especially if you use the taproom discounts afterward.

Skip it if you are looking for a full-day beer course, a guaranteed list of specific beer styles, or a tour packed with advanced technical detail. For most adults who want a relaxed, informative brewery stop, Five Points offers a sensible balance of explanation, tasting, and local character.

FAQ

How long does the Five Points Brewery tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

Where does the brewery tour start?

You check in at the main bar in the Five Points Taproom.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many beers are included?

The tour includes four different beers.

How large are the tasting servings?

Each beer is served in a one-third-pint measure.

Are the beers served fresh from the tank?

Yes. The four tasting beers are served fresh from the tank.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Is the brewery tour suitable for children?

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

What should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I stay at the taproom after the tour?

Yes. You receive 10% off your first round of drinks and 10% off food after the tour.

Can I cancel my booking?

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