A Camden brewery tour is a great way to spend an hour. 3 Locks Brewing Company keeps it friendly and hands-on, with a welcome pour, a guided tasting, and time in the taproom afterward. I like that the group stays small, and I love the simple payoff: you learn the basics and end up with a few genuinely useful beers to remember.

Two things I especially like: you sample six different beers during the flight, and you also get two complimentary pints to slow down and actually enjoy what you tasted. The only drawback to consider is that there’s no food included, so if you get hungry fast, you’ll want to plan a meal before or after.

Key highlights worth circling

• Six-beer flight plus complimentary pints to balance learning and real tasting time
• Max group size of 12, so questions and conversation don’t get swallowed up
• Brewhouse walkthrough that explains how beer moves from tank to glass
• 10% discount in the taproom and on merchandise if you want to take something home
• English-language experience with a mobile ticket for easy check-in

Why this Camden brewery tour feels worth the money

At $34.28 per person for about 1 hour 15 minutes, this tour is priced like a true experience, not a quick gimmick. What makes it feel like good value is that you’re not just watching someone talk about beer—you’re tasting a flight of six, then continuing with additional pours as the tour moves along.

Also, the small group size (12 max) matters. In larger tours, the guide has to rush. Here, the pace feels more personal, and you can ask the kind of practical questions that make beer tasting click for you. If you like craft beer but don’t know where to start, this setup helps you get your bearings fast.

Finally, Camden is a fun setting for this kind of stop. Hawley Wharf gives the experience a real “in the neighborhood” feel, and it’s easy to combine with other plans nearby once you know when you’re done.

Getting oriented at 3 Locks (and what starts when you arrive)

The tour starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Ln., Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY. The meeting point is straightforward, and you end back where you started, so there’s no awkward mid-day relocation.

Check-in is designed to be low-stress. You’ll have a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation at booking time. The tour is offered in English, which makes it easy to follow the tasting guidance and the brewhouse explanations without guessing.

One practical perk: it’s near public transportation, which is handy in London. You don’t want to burn your “beer hour” navigating across town. And if you’re traveling with a service animal, that’s allowed.

The tasting flight: six beers, a welcome pour, and what you should notice

The experience begins with a welcome beer, then shifts into a guided tasting. The core is a flight of six tasters, which is a smart format because you don’t get stuck with just one style. You can compare how flavors change across different brews instead of trying to guess what you like from memory.

During a flight, I think about two things: balance and how each beer finishes. For balance, ask yourself if the taste leans more toward malty sweetness, hop bitterness, or something in between. For the finish, notice whether it dries out quickly, stays smooth, or lingers. That kind of attention turns tasting from entertainment into real learning.

The included pours also go beyond the flight. After the tasting break, the tour continues with additional beers tied to the brewhouse visit—like a beer from the tank and a finishing beer at the end. The highlight here is that you’re tasting while the guide connects beer to production, so the flavors make more sense.

And yes, the experience includes two complimentary pints. That’s the part that makes the tour feel generous, especially if you’re visiting on a tight schedule and want more than tiny samples.

The brewhouse tour: connecting the process to the beer in your glass

After the tasting, you’ll tour the brewhouse, which is where the whole thing gets practical. This is the part that helps you move from I like beer to I understand why this beer tastes the way it does.

What’s valuable is the sequencing: you’re not wandering into the brewhouse at random. You’ve already tasted a spread of beers, so you have reference points in your head. When you see how beer is handled and produced, you can tie what you’re hearing to what you already tasted.

The experience also includes a beer connected to the production stage—specifically beer from the tank. Even without getting lost in technical jargon, this kind of moment makes the tour feel real because you get to experience a beer concept in context, not as a label on a bottle.

If you’re the kind of person who likes asking questions, a small group helps. With a maximum of 12, the guide can actually answer instead of just moving on.

Taproom time and 10% off: how to use the wrap-up well

Once the structured parts are done, there’s a built-in chance to linger. You’ll have time to hang around in the taproom after the tour, with 10% off on beers in the taproom and on merchandise.

This is a smart design, because tasting tours can feel rushed if you’re trying to decide what to buy while you’re still buzzing on fresh pours. The taproom break lets you go back to the beers you liked and compare them without the pressure of keeping up with the group.

Here’s how I’d use that time: pick one beer you liked best in the flight and try it again as a pint. Then, if you’re buying merchandise, decide on your souvenir based on what you truly enjoyed rather than what looks coolest from across the room.

Also, wear comfortable shoes. Brewery floors and taprooms can be standing-heavy, and you’re there long enough to notice your feet.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)

This is best for people who like craft beer and want to learn without making it feel like homework. If you enjoy tasting different styles, you’ll appreciate the six-beer flight and the guided structure that keeps you focused.

It also works well if you’re traveling with others who want something social. The 12-person maximum creates the kind of conversation where you can compare notes and not feel like you’re waiting your turn.

One thing to consider: there’s no dinner included. So if you’re planning a long day of sightseeing, make sure you eat beforehand or have a meal queued up afterward. This is an alcohol-forward experience, and your stomach may have its own schedule.

If you’re looking for a food-and-beer pairing style night, this won’t match that vibe. The value here is beer education and tasting, not a meal.

Booking timing and expectations for a smooth visit

This tour is popular enough that it’s often booked about 30 days in advance. If your dates are fixed—especially around weekends or busy travel periods—booking early helps you avoid scrambling for an alternative.

The time commitment is short and clear: about 1 hour 15 minutes. That makes it easier to plan a day in London without losing half your itinerary to a long activity.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel for a full refund if you do it at least 24 hours in advance. That’s useful if your plans are still changing, but don’t treat it as a reason to wait until the last minute—good slots can go first.

Should you book 3 Locks in Camden?

If you want a small-group Camden craft beer tour that includes real tasting value—welcome beer, a six-beer flight, two complimentary pints, a brewhouse visit, and a 10% discount afterward—this is an easy yes.

I’d book it if you’re excited to learn the basics, enjoy sampling different styles, and end the experience with beers you can actually keep enjoying in the taproom. I’d skip it only if you need food included or you’re after a longer, purely sightseeing-style outing.

Overall, this is the kind of tour that turns an hour and change into a memorable beer stop with enough structure to feel worthwhile and enough freedom to let you stay and enjoy what you like.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour and tasting?

The experience runs for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $34.28 per person.

How many beers are included in the tasting?

You get a flight of six tasters. The experience also includes additional brewery beers during the tour, plus two complimentary pints.

Is food included with the tour?

No. Dinner is not included, and the experience focuses on beer tastings.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Ln., Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY, UK and ends back at the meeting point.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.