Camden Market has a brewery built into the scene. At 3 Locks Brewing, you get a guided tasting of 6 beers and a real brewhouse tour, with the extra thrill of beer straight from the tank. I love how much beer is built into the price, and I also like the relaxed, funny feel led by guides like Mick and Shay. One thing to consider: this is strictly 18+ and open-toed shoes aren’t allowed, so plan your outfit accordingly.

In about 1.5 hours, you’ll check in with the bar team, taste your way through the selection, and finish with one last beer to mark the end. You’ll also get a 10% taproom discount on beers and merch after the tour, which is a nice bonus if you want to keep the party going.

Key things to know before you go

• Tank-fresh beer: you drink beer straight from the tank, not from a rushed pour
• 6-beer guided tasting: a structured flight so you actually learn what you’re tasting
• More beer included: their pitch is that you get more beer as part of the tour than other brewery experiences
• Brewhouse tour included: you see the setup behind the beers, not just a tasting room
• Guides with personality: Mick and Shay are repeatedly noted for humour and generous service
• 10% taproom perk: tour guests get a discount on beers and merch afterward

3 Locks Brewing in Camden Market: What you’re really paying for

If you like beer but don’t want a generic “walk around and get a sample” experience, this one is built for you. The tour is short at 1.5 hours, but it’s packed with actual drinking and real brewery time.

You’re not just buying a flight in a quiet corner. You’re checking in with the bar team at 3 Locks Brewing Company, then spending your time with a live guide walking you through the brewery and the beers. The best part is that the tasting isn’t treated like a consolation prize. It’s the main event—6 beers served in a guided format, plus additional beer moments built into the flow.

And yes, there’s a specific thrill factor: Camden Market’s first ever brewery. That matters because you’re tasting craft beer in the middle of a location most people know for shopping and street life. If you want something authentically local without adding extra travel time, this format helps.

Check-in, then straight into the tasting rhythm

When you arrive, you’ll check in with the bar team. Then the tour settles into a clear pace: beer tasting first, then the brewhouse tour, and you finish with another beer at the end.

That “tasting-first” approach is one reason this works well for a lot of people. You get your palate warmed up early, so the later brewhouse portion makes more sense. When you’re standing near the equipment after tasting different styles, you’ll have an immediate comparison in your head.

Another practical win: the tour is English, and it’s led by a live guide. Based on how Mick and Shay are described, you can expect someone who explains without making it feel like homework. The tone is relaxed, with humour and a friendly back-and-forth energy—good for first-timers and beer nerds alike.

One drawback worth flagging: you’re drinking several beers in a tight time window. If you’re the type who gets overwhelmed by alcohol choices, go slow at the start and sip through the flight rather than racing.

The 6-beer guided flight: learning by tasting, not guessing

The highlight here is a guided tasting of 6 beers. Each stop in the flight is designed to help you understand differences—taste, balance, and character—without turning it into a lecture.

Think of it like training wheels. You start with a beer, you taste it with guidance, then you move to the next one and notice how the profile shifts. By beer number four or five, you’re not just drinking anymore—you’re making comparisons fast. That’s when the tour starts to feel like a cheat code.

A detail I appreciate: you’re not stuck with tiny, disappointing pours. The experience includes a welcome beer, the guided flight, a beer in the brewhouse, a beer straight out of the tank, and then an end-of-tour beer. The end result is that the total amount of beer you drink feels substantial for the £30 (about $33) ticket price.

They also position the tour around a big selling point: beer straight out of the tank. You’ll get that moment inside the tasting arc, not as a random afterthought.

Beer straight from the tank: the one moment that feels different

This is the signature move: you’ll drink beer straight out of the tank. If you’ve only ever had beer from a glass, you’re in for the sensory difference.

Why it matters (and why it’s not just a gimmick): beer tastes like something. It also smells like something. When it’s served from the tank, you’re more likely to notice how fresh the beer feels and how the aromas come through. You’re getting the closest experience to “fresh production” in a casual, human way.

This also explains why the tour structure includes multiple drinking moments. You’re sampling the lineup normally, then you get the fresh-tank step that resets your expectations. It’s the kind of contrast that makes the rest of the tour click.

If you’re worried about being too busy or too drunk too fast, pace yourself. The tour is short, but you can slow down without ruining the experience. A guide who is good at keeping the tone light (like Mick) will usually let you move at a sensible speed.

The brewhouse tour: seeing the process behind what’s in your glass

After (or alongside) the tasting portion, you’ll get a full tour of the brewhouse. You’re walking through the setup where beer moves from brewing steps to finished product.

Even if you don’t know brewing terms, the value here is practical. Seeing the physical process makes the tasting descriptions feel real. For example, when you taste a beer and then look at the relevant equipment and flow of brewing, you stop thinking in vague “beer styles” and start thinking in process.

This is also where a good guide makes a difference. The tour is led in a relaxed way, with lots of witty remarks and clear insights. That matters because brewery tours can sometimes feel overly technical. Here, the style described for Mick and Michael (same guide mentioned in different forms) leans funny and approachable, so you’re more likely to remember what you learned.

One small logistics note: you’re in a working brewery space. The experience specifies no open-toed shoes, which is less about fashion and more about safety and comfort in a production environment.

Price and value: why £30 feels fair for what you drink

At $33 per person (listed as £30 on the ticket), you’re paying for more than a tasting flight. You’re paying for:

• a welcome beer
• a guided tasting flight of 6 beers
• beer in the brewhouse
• beer straight out of the tank
• a final end-of-tour beer
• plus the 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch afterward

So the real question isn’t just the ticket price. It’s what you get for your time. A 1.5-hour experience that includes multiple beer moments tends to be a better deal than tours that only offer one small pour after a long explanation.

Is it “cheap”? Not exactly. But it’s priced like a proper tasting experience, with enough beer that you’ll feel like you did something meaningful—not just sampled and left.

And if you plan to buy beer afterward, the 10% discount can tip it from fun to good value fast, especially if you’re heading into the rest of your day in Camden Market already.

Who should book this tour, and who might not love it

This fits best if you:

• want a guided tasting with real structure (not random sampling)
• like the idea of drinking beer directly from the tank
• enjoy brewery tours where the guide keeps the mood light and friendly
• are spending time in Camden Market and want a craft-beer stop that feels local

It might not be ideal if you:

• don’t drink beer or prefer non-alcoholic options (the tour described is built around beer tasting)
• are traveling with kids. It’s not suitable for children under 18
• are sensitive to alcohol and need a slow, low-key pace. Even at 1.5 hours, you’ll be tasting multiple beers.

Practical tips that make the tour smoother

You don’t need to overthink it, but a few details will help you enjoy the experience more:

• Wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes aren’t allowed.
• Come ready for a short, focused session. This is a 1.5-hour activity, so plan around it.
• Sip through the flight. The guide’s job is to explain, but your job is to taste. Going too fast makes the learning part less fun.
• If you like to bring souvenirs home, remember the 10% taproom discount applies to both beers and merch after the tour.

Also, it helps to know this is a live experience in English, so if you’re comfortable with conversational English, you’ll get more out of the guide’s jokes and explanations.

Should you book 3 Locks Brewing Company’s guided tasting tour?

I’d book it if you want a beer experience that feels like the product is the point: structured tasting, a brewhouse look, and the standout moment of tank-fresh pours. The guides—Mick and Shay are both mentioned—come across as genuinely engaging, with humour and generous service that makes the whole thing feel easy.

Skip it if you need a kid-friendly outing (it’s 18+), you hate structured tastings, or you’re not interested in drinking several beers in a short time.

If you’re already in Camden Market and you like beer, this tour is a strong use of 1.5 hours—and the included drinking plus the taproom discount makes it a solid value.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Locks Brewing guided tasting and brewery tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

How many beers are included in the guided tasting?

You’ll enjoy a guided tasting with a flight of 6 beers.

Do you get to drink beer straight from the tank?

Yes. The tour includes beer straight out of the tank.

Is there beer besides the 6-beer tasting flight?

Yes. The tour also includes a welcome beer, beer in the brewhouse, and an end-of-tour final beer.

Is a taproom discount included?

Yes. All tour guests get a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch.

What is the tour language?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Are open-toed shoes allowed?

No. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

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

Where do I meet for the tour?

You should check in with the bar team at 3 Locks Brewing Company.

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