Beer tours are best when you see the tanks.

This Hackney stop at Five Points Brewery & Taproom is a real working craft brewery, not a showroom, and you get a guided tasting plus stories about London beer culture.

I like two things a lot: the fresh-from-the-tank pours and the chance to watch more than just brewing. You’ll tour the brewhouse and packaging areas, then taste a set of beers from the mezzanine terrace above the brewery action.

One thing to consider: the whole experience is about 1.5 hours, so if you’re hoping for a long, heavy-drinking session, you’ll likely want to plan a second round in the taproom after the tour.

Quick hit guide points

• A real brewery in Hackney: you’re stepping into day-to-day production at Five Points
• Brewhouse + packaging line tour: you see where beer gets made and prepared for the market
• At least 4 beers, served as 1/3 pints: portion size keeps the tasting moving
• Mezzanine beer terrace seating: you taste while looking over the brewery
• Guide-led beer science and beer stories: you’ll hear practical process talk with funny facts and local history
• Taproom perks after the tour: 10% off your first round and 10% off food

Five Points Brewery & Taproom in Hackney: what makes the setting special

This tour is built around one simple advantage: you’re touring a working independent brewery in the middle of Hackney, a part of London known for its street-level energy and creative scene. Five Points is not doing this as a theme-park act. The point is to show you how brewing actually functions when the brewery is producing beer for real customers.

You’ll start in the main bar area, check in with the staff, and if you arrive early you can grab a pint while you wait. That small detail matters because it sets the tone. You’re already in beer mode before the guide leads you into the behind-the-scenes areas.

If you like beer that feels connected to place, Hackney is a good match. It’s close enough to central London that you can combine it with other sightseeing days, but it still feels like you’re off the main tourist treadmill.

The 1.5-hour flow: from brewhouse tour to the mezzanine tasting terrace

The structure is straightforward and well-paced, which is exactly what you want in a short London activity.

First, you’ll meet your guide in the taproom and begin a tour of the production side of the brewery. Expect to see the brewhouse up close and also the packaging lines where beer moves from brewing into cans or bottles (the tour focuses on how the brewery process works, not just a quick photo stop).

Next comes the tasting portion, served while you sit on a mezzanine beer terrace overlooking the brewery. That view is one of the quiet perks of the experience. You’re tasting your way through the flight while the production environment is still part of the scene.

This is a guided format, and you’ll be learning while you’re drinking. It’s not a lecture that keeps you stuck with your nose in a screen. The tour is meant to be hands-on and story-driven—brewing steps explained, then matched to what you’re tasting.

One extra note from the experience details: the tour is led in English, and it’s designed to run for about 1.5 hours total. So go into it with the right expectations—enough time for a real walkthrough and a proper tasting flight, not enough time to cover everything a lifelong beer nerd would want.

Your four-beer tasting flight: what the 1/3 pint pours really do for the experience

The tasting is built around a flight of four different Five Points beers. You’ll receive each beer as about a 1/3 pint pour, served fresh from the tank. That portion size is a big part of why this tour works.

Here’s why you’ll probably enjoy it: you can taste across styles and flavors without getting overwhelmed. With smaller pours, you also pick up the differences in aroma, mouthfeel, and finish from beer to beer. You’re not just filling a glass; you’re comparing.

Also, the experience is set up so you’re seated on the terrace during the tasting, which makes it easier to stay focused. You don’t feel like you’re constantly standing in line or moving around with every pour. Instead, you settle in, taste in sequence, and listen to the guide’s explanations.

If you’re new to craft beer, this is a friendly way to start. If you already know your way around London taprooms, it still gives you value because you’re linking the flavor to what you saw in the brewhouse earlier—brewing choices, fermentation behavior, and the overall science behind brewing are part of what the guide talks through.

A small, practical bonus: the guide portion and tasting portion are not rushed into a grab-and-go format. The reviews highlight that portions don’t feel stingy, which matches the idea that you’re meant to genuinely taste and compare.

Behind-the-scenes brewing talk plus London beer stories

This tour mixes two modes: practical production explanation and beer-story entertainment.

On the practical side, you’ll learn what goes into making craft beer and how the brewery process works. The guide also talks about the science behind brewing in a way that connects to what you’re tasting. That’s important because craft beer can turn into a wall of jargon if it isn’t translated. Here, the vibe is more like: you’re shown what’s happening, then you taste the result.

On the story side, you’ll hear wild stories and hilarious facts related to London’s beer history and the broader context of beer in the British capital. The goal isn’t to turn this into a history class. It’s to give you something memorable so you remember the beer, not just the numbers.

Guide quality is a clear theme in the positive feedback. One host name that comes up is Bex, described as lovely, fun, and strong on explanations. Even if you don’t get Bex, the structure suggests the guides are comfortable mixing storytelling with plain-language brewing talk.

If you want a beer tour that gives you both flavor and context, this format is a good fit. You get to leave understanding how the beer ended up tasting the way it does, while also picking up the kind of facts you can actually repeat later.

After the tour: using the taproom discounts like a savvy Londoner

When the guided portion ends, you can keep hanging out in the taproom. That’s a good setup for two reasons.

First, it lets you keep trying different beers after the structured tasting. Your four pours are a sampler. The taproom is where you can go deeper with your own choice.

Second, the tour includes real value in the form of discounts. You get 10% off your first round of drinks after the tour, and 10% off the food menu. If you plan to eat or have more beer anyway, this can make the overall cost feel much more reasonable.

Here’s how I’d use it: take notes during the tasting (even just mentally), then order your next beer based on what surprised you most. If you were comparing styles, you’ll know what direction to go next—malty, hoppy, crisp, or darker.

The discount also makes it easier to pair your beer with food without turning it into a decision panic. You’re not forced to drink just because it’s there. You’ve got a built-in nudge to settle in.

Who should book the Hackney craft brewery tour, and who might not love it

This tour is especially well-suited for:

• People who like craft beer tastings but want them tied to a real brewery environment
• Visitors who want a guided experience with both explanation and entertainment
• Travelers doing a London food-and-drink day and want an activity that’s not overly long

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a full-day brewery experience with a large number of pours
• You’re traveling with anyone under 18, because the activity is not suitable for children under 18
• You’re planning to wear open-toed shoes or bring pets, since those are not allowed

There’s also a basic reality check with alcohol-focused tours: the provider may refuse service if someone is intoxicated or acting in an anti-social way. It’s one of those rules that helps keep the tasting friendly and safe for everyone.

Price and value: is $26.94 for a 4-beer tasting tour worth it?

At $26.94 per person, you’re paying for a short guided tour plus a flight of at least four beers served as 1/3 pints fresh from the tank. You also get discounts afterward—10% off your first round and 10% off food.

If all you wanted was four beers, you could always buy them at a pub. But this is different because you’re paying for access and context: the brewhouse and packaging line walkthrough, a guide who explains brewing steps and beer science, and the terrace setting where you taste while looking over the brewery.

In value terms, the discounts matter most if you were planning to stay for food or a second drink. In that case, the tour fee feels less like a standalone purchase and more like a “paid entry” into the taproom experience.

For many travelers, the time and structure are part of the value too. About 1.5 hours is enough to feel like you did something real without eating your whole day.

My take: if craft beer matters to your trip, this price is fair because it packages production access, a guided tasting, and post-tour savings in one tight block.

Practical details that help you show up ready

A few details can save you hassle.

Bring a passport or ID card. The tour doesn’t take chances on people showing up without a valid ID.

Footwear also matters. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and open-toed shoes are also off the list. Wear closed-toe shoes so you can move comfortably around the brewery areas.

No pets are allowed, and as mentioned, service can be refused for intoxication or anti-social behavior. It’s a small crowd-friendly environment, so the rules keep it that way.

The tour is in English and is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is helpful if you need that support.

Should you book this London craft brewery tour?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward, well-run London beer experience where you can see the process and taste the result. The combination of a brewhouse + packaging tour, a four-beer fresh flight, and the mezzanine terrace tasting is exactly the kind of value that works on a busy travel schedule.

Skip it if you’re looking for a long, heavy marathon tasting or a deep academic brewing course with lots more beers. This is designed to be efficient and fun, not endless.

If your trip includes Hackney or you’re building a craft-beer day in London, this is one of the easier ways to turn beer curiosity into something concrete.

FAQ

How long is the London craft brewery tour with tasting?

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

How many beers are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste at least 4 beers, specifically four different Five Points beers.

Are the beers served fresh from the tank?

Yes. The beers are served fresh from the tank, in 1/3 pint measures.

Where do I meet the guide?

You check in at the main bar when you arrive. If you’re early, you can grab a pint while you wait.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No, it is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a passport or an ID card (a copy is accepted).

Are there any restrictions on shoes or pets?

Yes. Sandals or flip flops and open-toed shoes are not allowed, and pets are not allowed.

Do I get discounts after the tour?

Yes. You get 10% off your first round of drinks and 10% off the food menu.