Five stops? Nope, just four.

This East End craft beer tour turns a normal evening into a guided crawl through Hackney’s best taprooms, with a half pint (or 2/3 pour) at each stop plus a proper tasting lesson. You start at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard on Mare Street, finish at Deviant & Dandy Brewery, and you get a clear route that keeps the pace friendly and the beer fun.

What I like most: you’re not just drinking—you’re learning how to taste, with a guide who breaks down brewing basics and what to look for in a pint. I also love that non-drinkers can still join in, since each stop includes a soft drink option. One thing to consider: you’re drinking on a fixed schedule starting at 6:00 pm, and each taproom stop is about 45 minutes, so you’ll want to bring your appetite for tasting, not lingering.

The East End Craft Brewery Tour, in Plain Terms

This is a 3 to 4 hour guided craft beer outing in London’s East End, offered in English and capped at a maximum of 20 people. You get a mobile ticket, meet in Hackney, then hop between four taprooms. It ends at Deviant & Dandy, with the guide helping you get to the nearby train hub at Hackney Central.

The vibe is small-group and focused. You’re not spending the night guessing what beer styles mean. The tour is built to help you taste more thoughtfully—so the differences between pale, lager, sour, and “why this head looks like this” actually make sense by the final stop.

Also, the included drink at each place matters. Half pint / 2/3 beer or a soft drink gives you enough volume to compare what you’re sampling without making the route miserable.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Four taproom stops in the Hackney/London Fields area, each with a set tasting window
• Included half pint (or 2/3 pour) at every venue, with a soft drink option
• A host who teaches how to taste beer and read the glass
• An emphasis on the how and why behind brewing and styles, not just brand names
• A small-group feel with a maximum of 20 people
• Two-way energy: educational, but still laid-back enough for a great night out

Starting Point on Mare Street: Five Points Taproom & Courtyard

You kick things off at 61 Mare St, London E8 4RG, meeting at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard. The timing is set—6:00 pm—so this feels like an evening plan, not a midday wander.

At this first stop, you get about 45 minutes, and your included drink (half pint or 2/3 pour, or soft drink) is part of the fun. The reason I like starting here: it’s the easiest place to get your bearings fast. You arrive, settle in, and the guide can set the tone for the tasting lesson before the evening gets busier.

If you’re new to craft beer, this stop is a good on-ramp. You can start listening to the tasting cues right away—what to smell, what to notice in the foam, and how to spot differences in style.

Stop 1’s Hidden Value: Beer Tops and Tasting Like a Pro

Here’s what stood out from guest experiences: the guide doesn’t treat tasting like a gimmick. One tour highlight described a detailed explanation of beer tops—the froth/head design and how it comes about. That kind of detail sounds nerdy, until you taste a few pours back-to-back and realize you’re no longer “just drinking.” You’re noticing.

That’s the big payoff of starting at a taproom environment: the tasting lesson fits the setting. You’ll have something in your hand while the guide talks, so the advice sticks.

Practical tip: arrive with a clear palate. If you’ve had a heavy meal right before, you might miss smaller flavors. Not a deal-breaker—just a way to get more from the lesson.

Forest Road Brewing Co.: Taproom & Bar for Comparisons

Next you go to Forest Road Brewing Co. – Taproom & Bar for another 45 minutes and another included drink. This stop is valuable because it’s built for comparison. Same city, same evening, different brewery character.

What you’re looking for here isn’t one “best beer.” It’s contrast:

• How the aroma changes when the style shifts
• How the body feels in your mouth from one pour to the next
• Whether the finish tastes crisp, dry, sour, or rounded

Craft beer tours can sometimes feel like you’re collecting flights. This one tries to feel like a guided tasting, where each stop adds a new piece to the puzzle.

One consideration: each venue gets roughly the same time, so if you fall in love with a single beer at the second stop, you might feel a slight itch to order another there. The tour keeps moving on purpose, so plan to treat your included drink as the “official” comparison serving.

Hackney Church Brew: Where the Lesson Continues

Then it’s on to Hackney Church Brew for Stop 3, again with about 45 minutes and your included half pint (or soft drink). This stage of the night is where the tour starts to click for most people.

By now, you’ve heard the guide talk about how to taste and how beer styles evolve. And you’ve started to notice patterns. Even seasoned drinkers tend to learn something new around this point—because the guide focuses on technique and history, not just flavor descriptions.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to understand a place through its food and drink, this stop is a good fit. It’s not only about tasting a brew; it’s about learning how brewing choices shape what ends up in the glass.

Deviant & Dandy Brewery: Finish With Fresh Styles

Your final stop is Deviant & Dandy Brewery, located at 185 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB. This one’s a bit special in the way it’s described: it’s founded in 2017, and the taproom sits in an old courtyard. The place is known for fresh lagers, pales, and sours.

You get about 45 minutes here too, which is a good length for finishing strong. By the last stop, you can usually answer these questions for yourself:

• Do you prefer crisp lagers or more expressive sour profiles?
• Are you drawn to pale styles because of hop character, or because they feel clean and drinkable?
• Do you taste more confidently when you focus on aroma first?

If you end the tour with a sour you weren’t sure you’d like, great—that’s exactly the point of a guided crawl with education. You’ve got permission to experiment, because you’ve got context.

The Guide Factor: Paul’s Beer Teaching Style (and Noel on Some Tours)

A lot of the praise centers on the guide. People describe Paul as the kind of host who can answer tough beer questions and still keep the mood light. The tour format gives him room to teach tasting technique and explain the history and evolution of London’s beer scene.

One standout detail from guest feedback: he’ll often explain the science and craft behind the pint you’re holding, and he makes sure you always have something in your hand while you learn.

On at least one outing, Paul was joined by his colleague Noel, and the group experience still felt personal. That’s a good sign. In a tour capped at 20, you want a guide who doesn’t vanish into the crowd.

What This Tour Is Really Best For

This isn’t a “look at breweries from outside” walking tour. It’s a tasting-led evening.

You’ll get the most from it if:

• You like craft beer and want to broaden what you notice
• You’ve had a few beers before but want a real framework for tasting
• You enjoy London neighborhoods where local makers and taprooms feel part of the streetscape

It’s also a strong pick if you don’t drink alcohol—because each stop offers a soft drink option alongside the beer.

If you only want the broadest, loudest pub-party scene, this might feel more structured than you expect. It’s fun, but it’s built around tasting and learning.

Pace, Timing, and Where You’ll End Up

The tour runs 3 to 4 hours starting at 6:00 pm. With four stops and about 45 minutes at each, you’re looking at a smooth rhythm: drink, learn, taste, move.

The start point on Mare Street is easy to reach via public transport, and the end works the same way. The guide directs you to the nearest train station at Hackney Central, which is a smart wrap-up. It means you’re not stranded with the last pint but no easy route home.

Group size stays friendly—up to 20—so you should feel guided rather than herded.

Value for Money: Why the Included Drinks Matter

Even without seeing the price on your end, I can still tell you what makes the pricing structure sensible.

You’re paying for:

• A hosted route through four taprooms
• A set amount of time with a guide who explains brewing and tasting
• The included drink at every stop (half pint / 2/3 pour or soft drink)

That last part is where the value lives. Many beer tours include one tasting and then leave you to purchase everything else. Here, your “comparison set” is built in from stop to stop. That makes it easier to budget and easier to focus on tasting rather than math.

The biggest bonus: you’re not just collecting drinks. You’re learning to pick up flavor cues, understand technique, and hear how brewing choices affect what you taste.

A Few Practical Things to Bring

This is London, and it’s evening. A few common-sense moves help:

• Wear shoes you don’t mind walking in for a few hours
• Have a light snack earlier if you want maximum flavor detail
• If you’re sensitive to alcohol, slow down between stops and use the soft drink option where it helps

Also, keep in mind this is a guided English-language tour. If you love asking questions, this kind of tour is where those questions get answered.

Should You Book This East End Craft Brewery Tour?

I’d book it if you want a structured, friendly way to experience East End beer culture. The combination of four taproom stops, included drinks at each, and a guide who explains how to taste is exactly the kind of setup that upgrades an average pub evening into something memorable.

Skip it if you hate the idea of moving on a set schedule, or if you’re only interested in drinking without any focus on learning or tasting differences.

If you’re torn, here’s the simplest decision rule: if you’d enjoy understanding why beer tastes the way it does, book this. If you just want a free-form night out, you might prefer a standard pub crawl.

FAQ

How long is the East End Craft Brewery Tour?

It runs for about 3 to 4 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, 61 Mare St, London E8 4RG.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Deviant & Dandy Brewery, 185 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 6:00 pm.

What’s included in the tour at each stop?

At each stop, you’re included for a half pint (or 2/3 of beer) or a soft drink.

What stops are included?

The tour includes The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, Forest Road Brewing Co. – Taproom & Bar, Hackney Church Brew, and Deviant & Dandy Brewery.

How many people are on the tour?

The experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I get to public transport easily during or after the tour?

It’s near public transportation, and the guide will direct you to the nearest train station, Hackney Central.