A brewery tour where the beer is still flowing. What makes 3 Locks Brewing Company special is the chance to drink beer straight from the tank and make it a proper guided tasting of 6 beers.

I also like how the tour doesn’t feel stingy. You’re set up for a full tasting route (plus extra pours), not just a quick sip-and-go experience. One thing to consider: it’s not suitable for children under 18, and open-toed shoes aren’t allowed, so plan your footwear.

If you want a brewery tour that stays fun and practical, this one hits the sweet spot. Guides such as Mick, Michael, and Shay are often praised for mixing clear beer explanations with light humour, so you get facts without the stuffiness. The only real drawback is the format is tight: at 1.5 hours, you’ll have to pace yourself and decide where you want to linger.

Key highlights you’ll remember

• Camden Market’s first-ever brewery, right in the middle of the action
• Beer straight from the tank, served in a way that feels almost hands-on
• A flight of 6 beers plus additional pours around the brewhouse
• Guides with humour and clarity, including names like Mick, Michael, and Shay
• More beer included than you’d expect for the ticket price claim

Why Camden Market’s 3 Locks tour feels like more than a tasting

Camden Market is the kind of place where you can wander for ages. So it’s a nice change to lock in one good plan that uses the location properly. This tour keeps you in “brewery mode,” with the focus on the brewhouse and the beer itself, not just a showroom stop.

The other reason I’d steer you here is simple: the experience is designed to be liquid-heavy. You’re not paying for a lecture and a token sample. You’re paying to taste your way through multiple beers, with moments that feel different from your average flight. The tank pour is the big headline, but the overall pacing is what makes it work.

And yes, this is still a brewery tour, not a bar crawl. You’ll get guided tastings, proper order-of-taste flow, and clear prompts so you know what you’re looking for.

What you’ll actually drink in 90 minutes

Let’s talk value in plain numbers, because this tour is built around quantity. Included in the ticket, you should expect:

• a welcome beer
• a guided tasting flight of 6 beers
• a beer in the brewhouse
• a beer straight out of the tank
• a final end-of-tour beer

That’s 10 beers/pours total included in the ticket. Of course, you may not love every style equally, but you’ll have enough variety to find what clicks for you. And if you’re the type who usually orders the same safe style at the pub, this format is a fast way to break the routine.

There’s also a 10% discount for tour guests in the taproom on beers and merch. It matters because it gives you a reason to stick around after the tour for one or two follow-up choices, instead of rushing out immediately.

The check-in moment: start with the bar team

The tour begins with a simple check-in with the bar team. That’s useful because it gets you onto the tasting path quickly. You’re not hunting for a meeting point while the clock eats your booking.

From there, the tour structure is straightforward: welcome beer, guided tasting, brewhouse time, and then those tank and final moments that turn it from normal to memorable. The staff keeps it moving, so if you’re worried about standing around, you won’t feel stuck long.

Also, the tour runs in English, so you’ll get full instruction rather than piecing things together.

The guided tasting flight of 6 beers: how to get more out of it

A lot of tasting flights are just six cups on a table. Here, the tasting is guided, which changes how you experience each pour. You’re set up to notice differences instead of just reacting to taste at random.

In practical terms, the flight is your “training wheels” segment:

• you’ll be prompted to compare styles
• you’ll get explanations while the beers are still fresh and distinct
• you’ll have enough variety to identify what you like early, so later pours hit harder

This is where the guide style matters. In the feedback you can see a pattern: guides like Mick or Michael are described as engaging, funny, and easy to follow, with witty remarks that don’t get in the way of the information. Shay is also noted for being especially friendly and generous with the beer.

So if you’ve ever taken a tasting and felt awkward asking questions, this kind of relaxed, humour-forward guidance tends to make it easier to speak up.

Brewhouse time: tasting where the beer is made

Next comes the part that makes a brewery tour feel real: time in the brewhouse. Seeing the process area turns the tasting from abstract to physical. Instead of hearing about brewing steps in theory, you’re standing where things actually happen.

Even if you’re not a beer “nerd,” you’ll likely enjoy this segment because it translates everyday beer into a workflow. You start to connect aromas and flavours with what’s going on behind the scenes.

This is also where you get one of the included pours specifically described as a beer you’ll drink in the brewhouse. That’s smart pacing. Your tasting isn’t just happening in one room. You taste, then change location, which keeps your attention switched on.

The tank pour: why this is the headline (and not just marketing)

The tour’s signature moment is drinking beer straight out of the tank. This is the detail that makes people remember the tour, because it’s unusual and a little bit dramatic in the best way.

For you, the value is twofold:

1. It’s a sensory jump. Tank-fresh beer can taste different from what you expect in a regular pub pour, even if you like the same basic style.
2. It makes the tour feel hands-on. You’re not just tasting beer that has already been fully packaged and served. You’re experiencing it closer to the production stage.

If you like beer as a craft product, this is the segment that connects craft and flavour immediately. If you prefer only one or two specific styles, this is still worth it because you’ll learn what makes that style work, and you can decide how you want to spend your post-tour taproom time.

The Camden Market factor: convenient, lively, and easy to pair

Because it’s in Camden Market, your day stays flexible. You’re not committing to a remote location that eats your whole afternoon. After your 1.5-hour tour, you’ll be back at 3 Locks Brewing Company, then you can decide what you want next without losing momentum.

That matters if you’re travelling with a mix of interests. One person wants beer and one person wants to wander. This tour gives you a solid anchor, and the market area can fill the rest of the day.

Price and value: what £30 buys you here

Tickets are listed at £30, around $33 per person, for a 1.5-hour experience. On paper, that might sound like a lot if you’re thinking of standard pub tastings.

But here’s the value case I’d make:

• you get a welcome beer
• you get six beers in a guided flight
• you get additional pours (brewhouse, tank, and the end-of-tour beer)

That’s why the tour’s “more beer included” claim isn’t just hype. You’re not left hovering over a single tasting glass hoping for a second. You get enough variety and quantity to feel like you completed something, not just sampled.

The included 10% taproom discount gives you an easy next step, too. If you find a style you love during the tour, you can order it again with a small win.

Who should book this tour (and who might skip it)

Book it if:

• you love beer and want a guided tasting that leads somewhere
• you want to see the process in a working brewhouse, not just stand in a retail corner
• you’re excited by the novelty of beer straight from the tank
• you want a set-time activity that doesn’t sprawl beyond 90 minutes

Skip or think twice if:

• you’re sensitive to alcohol quantity. Even if pours are managed, the ticket includes multiple beers.
• you need an all-ages activity. This tour is not suitable for children under 18.
• you forgot to pack proper shoes. Open-toed shoes aren’t allowed, so wear something closed-toe and comfortable.

Should you book the 3 Locks Brewing Company guided tasting and tour?

If your travel style includes “one great activity that gives me real taste of the place,” then yes, I’d book this. The structure is tight, the focus is clear, and the beer count is a serious part of the value equation.

The decision comes down to one question: do you want the tank pour and a guided tasting flight with extra beers included? If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, 3 Locks is an easy yes.

FAQ

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

The tour runs for 1.5 hours.

What is the price per person?

Tickets are listed at £30 per person (shown as $33 per person).

How many beers are included in the ticket?

Your ticket includes a welcome beer, a guided tasting flight of 6 beers, a beer in the brewhouse, beer straight out of the tank, and a final end-of-tour beer.

Does the tour include beer straight from the tank?

Yes. One of the included pours is described as beer straight out of the tank.

Is there a guided tasting or is it self-paced?

It’s a guided experience. You’ll get a guided tasting with a flight of 6 beers, plus a guided brewery tour.

Is it suitable for children?

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

Are there any shoe rules?

Yes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Can I cancel or change my plans?

You get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There’s also reserve now & pay later to keep plans flexible.