Nine beers in three hours is a fast education. I like the smart mix of beer history and serious tasting—especially the 17th-century Thames taproom start and the Bermondsey Beer Mile craft stops. I also love that the guide teaches you how to taste beer, so you notice flavors as clearly as you would with wine. One catch: you should eat first, because there’s no food included during the tour.

You’ll spend 3 hours walking between areas and sampling from about 3 to 4 venues. On average, you’ll get around 8 small pours, and the total amount is roughly equivalent to about 3 pints.

Guides like Luke and Dave can turn the whole thing into a friendly hangout with real context, not a lecture. You’ll also spot a few standout styles on the way—smoky stouts, tingling sours, smooth ales, and a mystery secret beer that ties it together.

Key things you’ll notice on this London Secret Beer Tour

• Nine beer tastings over roughly 3 hours, with multiple styles like IPA, stouts, sours, cask ales, and wheat beers
• A proper tasting lesson, so you learn what to smell and how to assess flavor, not just drink it
• Bermondsey Beer Mile focus, an area with more than 16 craft breweries nearby
• A microbrewery stop where you can sample beers straight from the tank and hear how brewing works
• Old London through the route, including a 17th-century taproom start by the Thames
• Snacks available to buy at venues, plus time to eat after the tour with local suggestions

London’s Secret Beer Tour: a brewery crawl with a point

If you think you don’t know beer, that’s usually the first sign you’ll enjoy this tour. The best thing here isn’t just the variety of craft styles. It’s the way the experience gets you looking at beer like a drink with layers—aroma first, then flavor, then finish—rather than just something to quaff.

I like that the tour is built around London’s brewing story, not only current trends. You start in an old taproom by the Thames, where beer history feels close enough to touch. Then you move into Bermondsey, where the brewing revival is practically the neighborhood’s calling card.

Price and what you’re really paying for

At about $127 per person for a 3-hour tour, this isn’t a bargain pint-and-walk. But it is good value if you care about beer quality and explanation.

Here’s the value math that matters:

• You’re tasting about 8 small samples on average, with nine beers during the tour experience.
• The samples add up to roughly about 3 pints total, so you’re not just getting sips for show.
• You’re also paying for the guide’s job: picking venues, keeping the route moving on foot, and giving you the tasting framework so each pour makes sense.

If you want the cheapest beer deal possible, go to a pub and order what you like. If you want a guided, beer-nerd-friendly tour that still feels like hanging out, the price is easier to justify.

Kicking off in a 17th-century Thames taproom

The tour begins in a historic tap house by the Thames. You’re not starting in a modern brewpub that could exist anywhere. This is where beer culture meets the older London vibe, with a traditional British ale setting the tone.

This first stop matters because it teaches your senses how to work. Instead of saving all the explanation for later, you get a tasting intro right away. That makes the later styles easier to understand—especially the more complex ones like sour beers and wild-fermented ales.

Also, you’ll likely get history while you settle in. The pacing is deliberate: you’re guided to taste, ask, and listen, so the rest of the tour doesn’t feel like a random parade of glasses.

The Bermondsey Beer Mile: London’s craft corridor

After the Thames start, you head toward the Bermondsey Beer Mile, a street packed with brewing energy. The point is simple: this is an area with more than 16 breweries nearby, so you get that authentic sense that craft beer isn’t a trend here—it’s a local identity.

You’ll also hear about the brewing heritage of the neighborhood, including the idea that the area was once home to major brewery activity. That context makes the modern craft scene feel grounded, not gimmicky.

One of my favorite parts of tours like this is the walking. You get to connect the story to the geography. It’s not just drinking; it’s learning how London’s past shaped the present, then seeing the craft revival take over the same kind of streetscape.

What to expect style-wise in Bermondsey

This portion of the tour is where you can expect variety. The tour is designed to serve styles that behave differently on the palate, such as:

• London Black (a classic London-style dark beer)
• historic or capital-linked IPA references (you’ll be pointed to why certain IPA characters fit this city’s story)
• smoky stouts
• fruit sours and tingling sour profiles
• cask ales and wheat-beer styles
• wild fermented ales, where aroma and finish can be really surprising

If you’re new to craft beer, this variety is a feature. It helps you find what you actually like instead of guessing based on one safe order.

Microbrewery stop: sampling beers straight from the tank

The tour includes a stop at a microbrewery where you can sample beers straight from the tank. That’s the kind of detail that changes how you experience the beer. Freshness comes through in the aroma and balance, and you get a clearer sense of what the brewers were aiming for.

This is also where the tour goes from tasting to understanding. You’ll learn about the brewing process and what separates one style from another—not just in theory, but in terms you can taste afterward.

In particular, this stop is built for people who want to ask questions. The idea is that you don’t just swallow flavors; you learn to read them. And when the brewer explains ingredients and what each step does, it can make even familiar beer styles feel new.

The beer-tasting lesson you’ll use again

A standout promise of this tour is that you’ll learn the correct way to taste beer. That might sound over-serious, but it’s practical.

Here’s how that usually translates into a better drinking experience:

• You learn to smell before you sip, so you catch aromas that shape flavor.
• You learn to take note of balance—bitterness, sweetness, acidity, and body—so the beer isn’t just a single impression.
• You learn to pay attention to finish (how it fades), which can be where sours and stouts really show their personality.

This is why the tour feels more like a guided tasting than a pub crawl. And it’s also why repeat beers can feel totally different after you know what to look for.

What you’ll be tasting: a guide to the nine-beer lineup

The tour is built around nine beers, spread across about 3 to 4 venues. On average, you’ll get around 8 samples that equal small-glass pours, for a total amount roughly around 3 pints. In real life, this usually feels like a lot of variety with enough volume to notice differences.

You can expect a mix of styles such as:

• Classic London dark beer (London Black)
• IPA styles tied to London’s history narrative
• Smoky stouts (roast, char, and texture-forward flavors)
• Tingling sour beers including fruit sours
• Smooth ales and more familiar, balanced pours
• Cask ales (where serving style can change the experience)
• Wheat beers
• Wild fermented ales
• And yes, the secret beer, which is part of the fun and helps tie the route together

If you’re the type who likes to choose one beer and stick with it, this may feel like a forced variety. But if you enjoy finding your favorites, it’s a smart way to test multiple styles in one afternoon.

Walking, timing, and how to plan your day

This tour runs 3 hours, and it’s scheduled for Friday at 5pm, plus Saturday/Sunday at 3pm. The meeting point is at Starbucks Shad Thames Tower Bridge Piazza, 49 Shad Thames, London SE1 2N.

A key detail: there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to arrive ready to start. This is a walking tour, so comfortable shoes matter more than you think. The route moves between historic areas and the Bermondsey brewing corridor.

Also plan your food like an adult:

• It’s highly recommended you have a substantial meal before the tour.
• No food is included during the tasting.
• You’ll have a chance to eat at the end of the tour, and your guide will suggest options.

During the tour, you can also buy salty snacks at venues. That’s useful if you want something to keep your palate steady.

Who this tour suits best (and who should reconsider)

This works especially well if:

• You like craft beer and want to understand what you’re drinking.
• You’re curious about the London brewing story, not just current hype.
• You want a friendly group vibe with real structure—think tasting guidance plus history during the walk.
• You enjoy breweries where the staff actually explain what’s in the glass.

It may be less ideal if:

• You dislike walking or want a sit-down-only plan.
• You hate tasting variety and prefer ordering one familiar style all evening.
• You’re hungry and planning to rely on included food (it’s not provided).

Quick etiquette and practical tips

To get the most out of the tasting lesson and the nine-beer lineup, do these small things:

• Eat first, then sip thoughtfully. Your taste buds will thank you.
• Bring a refillable water bottle if you’re someone who likes to pace yourself.
• Expect itinerary changes based on locations, weather, and other circumstances. The core tasting concept stays the same, but a venue swap can happen.
• If you’re sensitive to strong styles, pace the sour and smoky pours. The tour volume adds up.

And if you get a guide like Luke or Dave, you’re in for a tour that feels structured without being stiff. The best guides make beer history sound like a conversation you can taste.

Should you book the London Secret Beer Tour?

Book it if you want a guided beer education that still feels social: tasting technique, brewery context, and a focused route through London’s brewing revival. At roughly $127 for three hours, the value is strongest when you care about variety, freshness, and learning what different styles are doing.

Skip it if you only want the cheapest way to drink beer, or if you’d rather plan your own brewery stops without tasting guidance. For everyone else, this is a smart way to sample London’s craft scene in one clean, walkable afternoon—and leave with a better sense of what you actually like.

FAQ

How long is the London Secret Beer Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

How much does the London Secret Beer Tour cost?

The price is $127 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Starbucks Shad Thames Tower Bridge Piazza, 49 Shad Thames, London SE1 2N.

When does the tour run?

It runs Friday at 5pm, and Saturday/Sunday at 3pm.

How many beers will I taste?

You will taste nine beers during the tour. The tour also says it includes on average around 8 samples of beer.

Is food included during the tour?

No food is included. It’s recommended that you have a substantial meal before you start, and there will be an opportunity to eat at the end.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No, hotel pickup is not included.

What is included in the ticket price?

You visit 3/4 venues, and you receive on average around 8 samples of beer (each sample is equivalent to a small glass), totaling approximately 3 pints.

Is the tour guided and in English?

Yes. It includes a live tour guide who speaks English.

My quick verdict: book or skip?

I’d book this tour if you want craft beer variety plus a real tasting framework, all tied to London’s brewing areas like the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Just don’t show up hungry or expecting food included, and you’ll be set for a fun three hours.