3 Locks Brewing Company: Guided tasting and brewery tour

The most unusual part of this Camden Market tour is also its clearest selling point: you get to drink beer straight from the tank. That’s not a metaphor for a fresh pint at the bar. It’s a chance to taste beer at the brewery, alongside a guided tasting and a look around the brewhouse.

I like two things here: the generous run of pours, which includes six tasters plus several beers, and the chance to learn about brewing while you’re standing in the brewery itself. One thing to weigh up: at 90 minutes, this is a compact tour, and the emphasis is firmly on beer, not a broad Camden Market visit.

Quick reasons to book

• A tank-side taste: One of the included beers comes straight from the tank, a rare and memorable way to sample a brewery’s work.
• More than a tasting flight: Your ticket includes a welcome beer, six guided tasters, a brewhouse beer, a tank beer, and a final beer.
• Camden Market’s first brewery: 3 Locks offers a look at a working brewery within the market setting.
• A guide-led introduction: Expect explanations about beer and the brewing process, delivered in English. Mick, also called Michael, and Shay are among the guides associated with the tour.
• A short, focused outing: The tour lasts 1.5 hours, making it easy to fit around other plans, though the number of pours makes it worth pacing yourself.
• A small extra for the taproom: Tour attendees receive 10% off beer and merchandise in the taproom.

Inside Camden Market’s first brewery

3 Locks Brewing Company describes itself as Camden Market’s first brewery. That makes the tour more than a tasting at a bar: you get to see the brewhouse and connect what’s in your glass with the place where beer is made.

The exact route and brewing equipment details aren’t specified, so don’t expect a technical factory tour with a set list of machines or production steps. The promised format is a guided brewery visit paired with beer tasting. That’s a good fit if you want a lively introduction rather than a specialist class.

The market setting also makes this an easy activity to pair with a Camden outing. The tour starts and ends at 3 Locks Brewing Company, and the meeting instruction is simple: check in with the bar team. The experience is centered on the brewery, so plan to explore the wider market separately if that’s part of your day.

A welcome beer, then six guided tasters

The tasting begins with a welcome beer, followed by a guided flight of six tasters. That’s a useful format if you want to try a range of the brewery’s beers without choosing a full pint of each. Your guide leads the tasting and shares information about beer and the brewing process.

The tour details don’t list the beer styles or promise that the lineup changes from one session to another. If you have a favorite style, or you’re hoping to try something specific, ask the bar team when you arrive rather than counting on a particular beer.

Guide style can make a brewery visit feel like a lesson or a relaxed get-together. Mick, also known as Michael, has been associated with an engaging, humorous approach, while Shay is also named as a guide. You can expect a live guide in English, but the person leading your particular session may vary.

From the brewhouse to the tank

After the tasting flight, the tour includes a beer in the brewhouse. This puts a pour in the setting where the brewing takes place, rather than keeping the whole visit at the taproom bar. The chance to see the brewhouse is part of the tour’s appeal, especially if you’re curious about the practical side of making beer.

Then comes the unusual pour: beer straight from the tank. It’s a direct link between the production space and the tasting glass, and likely to be the moment you remember most. The information provided doesn’t specify which beer you’ll try or how much you’ll receive, so think of this as a distinctive tasting stop, not a guaranteed full pint.

A final beer marks the end of the tour. Taken together, the welcome beer, six tasters, brewhouse beer, tank beer, and end-of-tour beer make this a lot of beer for a 90-minute activity. The exact serving sizes aren’t stated, so don’t assume every pour is a full pint. Still, pace yourself, especially if you’re planning to continue sampling beer around Camden afterward.

What the £30 ticket includes

The stated ticket price is £30 per person, shown as about $33. In return, you get several different parts of the visit bundled together: a welcome beer, six guided tasters, a beer in the brewhouse, a taste straight from the tank, and a final beer. You also receive a 10% discount on beer and merchandise in the taproom.

That makes the price easier to assess than a ticket that covers only entry and one drink. If you enjoy tasting a variety of beers and want an explanation of the brewing process, the multiple pours and guided format give you more than a quick brewery look-around. The value is less compelling if you don’t drink beer or would rather spend your time and money on a wider Camden activity.

The experience’s informal, beer-forward character is part of the appeal, but it also sets expectations. You’re paying for a focused brewery tour and tasting, not a meal, a full-day excursion, or a detailed market tour. The stated inclusions don’t mention food, so plan your meal separately.

Is 90 minutes enough?

For a tasting and brewhouse visit, 1.5 hours is a practical length. It gives the guide time to talk through the beers and the brewing process, while keeping the activity short enough to fit into a day in Camden. You won’t need to set aside a half-day, but the number of pours means the visit can feel more substantial than its duration suggests.

The pace matters. Six tasters plus the other included beers is generous, and the tour is best approached as a tasting rather than a race to finish each pour. If you’re driving, have other commitments, or simply prefer to drink slowly, bear in mind that you can take your time and should not feel obliged to drink more than you want.

Starting and returning to the brewery keeps the plan straightforward. The exact start times depend on availability, and the tour is conducted in English. No group size is specified, so don’t book expecting a private tour or a particular level of personal attention.

Practical details before you go

You must be 18 or older to take part. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, so wear closed-toe footwear. That’s the one specific clothing rule given, and it’s worth checking before you head out.

The tour lasts 90 minutes and begins at 3 Locks Brewing Company. Check in with the bar team when you arrive. If your plans are still shifting, you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The taproom discount is 10% off beer and merchandise for tour attendees. It can be useful if you want to stay for another drink or pick up something from the shop, but it’s an extra rather than a reason to book on its own.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a natural choice for beer fans who want to sample several brews and see where they’re made. It should also suit couples or friends looking for a short, social activity in Camden, especially if one person is curious about brewing and the other is mainly there for the tasting.

You don’t need specialist beer knowledge to take part. The guided format gives you context as you taste, and the tour’s relaxed, humorous style is a plus if you prefer an informal explanation over a lecture. If you already know your way around brewing, you may want to ask in advance how technical the session gets, since the tour description doesn’t promise specialist detail.

This isn’t suitable for children under 18, and it won’t suit anyone looking for a non-drinking activity. It is also not a full exploration of Camden Market. Think of it as a brewery outing that happens within the market, then make separate time for the rest of Camden if you want both.

Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company?

Book it if you enjoy beer, want a guided introduction to the brewing process, and like the idea of tasting a beer straight from the tank. The combination of six tasters and additional beers makes the £30 price reasonable for a focused 90-minute brewery visit, particularly if you value the guide’s explanations as much as the drinks.

Skip it if beer isn’t your thing, you’re under 18, or you expect a detailed tour of Camden Market itself. For the right person, the tank pour and the generous tasting sequence make this a distinctive stop. Just wear closed-toe shoes and pace yourself.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at 3 Locks Brewing Company. Check in with the bar team.

How much does the tour cost?

The ticket is listed at £30 per person, about $33.

What beers are included?

The tour includes a welcome beer, a guided flight of six tasters, a beer in the brewhouse, beer straight from the tank, and a final beer at the end.

Is beer straight from the tank included?

Yes. One of the included tasting pours is beer straight from the tank.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The tour has a live guide and is conducted in English. Mick, Michael, and Shay are names associated with the tour.

Can children join the tour?

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

What should I wear?

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

Do I get a discount in the taproom?

Yes. Tour attendees receive 10% off beer and merchandise in the taproom.

Can I cancel the booking?

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