Beer lessons in 75 minutes. At 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden, you get a guided tasting that ends with a brewhouse look and a final pour, and I especially love the six-beer flight and the small group size of 12, which keeps the conversation from turning into background noise. The one drawback to plan around is that there is no dinner included, so if you show up hungry, you will feel it.

I like how the experience moves in clear steps: a welcome beer, then tastings, then a short break, then time in the brewhouse, and finally one last beer to wrap things up. A big plus from the reviews is the guide, Michael, who manages to be both entertaining and well prepared, which makes the whole thing feel more like a chat with a brewer than a lecture.

You will meet at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Ln., Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY, and the tour uses a mobile ticket system. It runs about 1 hour 15 minutes, and since it is near public transportation, it is easy to plug into a Camden day without overplanning.

Quick hits on the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour

• Six-beer tasting flight plus two complimentary pints to sample a range of styles
• Brewhouse tour with time to see what is happening beyond the tasting glass
• Beer from the tank moment that explains how the product evolves
• Max group size of 12 for a more hands-on, question-friendly tour
• 10% off in the taproom and on merchandise after the tour, included in your experience

3 Locks Brewing Company tour in Camden: a tight 1 hour 15 minute format

This is the kind of brewery visit that works when you want real craft beer time, but you do not want to lose half your day. The whole experience runs about 1 hour 15 minutes, which means you can do it in the middle of sightseeing, then still have energy left to explore Camden.

The tour is capped at 12 people, and you can feel the difference. In a smaller group, you get more back-and-forth during the tasting and when the guide explains what to look for in aroma, flavor, and finish. If your travel style is to ask questions, this setup makes it easier.

It also helps that the experience is offered in English, so you can focus on the beer rather than playing language catch-up. And because it starts and ends at the same meeting point at Hawley Wharf, you are not stuck figuring out a separate drop-off location.

One practical note: it is an alcohol-focused tour. The included drinks are a core part of the program, so pace yourself, especially if you plan to keep moving afterward.

Your tasting lineup: six beers, two pints, and what that really buys you

The headline is simple: you sample six different beers and you get two complimentary pints. On paper, that sounds like a standard flight plus extra pours, but in practice, it is a nice mix of structured tasting and freer sipping.

Here is how the drinks show up through the tour:

• An arrival welcome beer
• A flight of 6 tasters
• A brewery beer as part of the program
• A beer from the tank
• An end-of-tour beer
• Plus two complimentary pints offered with the tasting experience

The value here is not only volume, it is variety and timing. You are not just sampling randomly, you are tasting in sequence while the guide explains what you are drinking. That makes it easier to notice what changes between styles and why certain beers taste the way they do.

Also, you are not paying extra just to get to the brewhouse portion. The tour includes the tastings, the tour stops, and the end drink. If you love craft beer, that is the kind of “all-in” structure that keeps decision fatigue low.

If you are not a heavy beer person, this may still be enjoyable, but you should know it is built around alcoholic beverages. You may want to bring a plan for water and for keeping your afternoon on track.

Welcome beer to finishing beer: walking through the tour flow

The pacing is one of the smartest parts of this experience. You start by being greeted on arrival and served a welcome beer, then you jump into a guided tasting. That early start matters because it sets the tone and gets you tasting with context from minute one.

After that, there is a small break, then the experience shifts into the physical side of the brewery. You move from sampling to seeing production areas, and that is when the tour stops feeling like a simple tasting room event.

The final section brings you back to the glass with a finishing beer to close things out. That ending is helpful because it gives you one last moment to compare what you tasted earlier with what you saw during the brewhouse portion.

What makes this flow feel good is that it matches how most people naturally learn. You try, you listen, you see, then you try again. If you like beer but you also like understanding why it tastes the way it does, this structure tends to land well.

And if you care about your trip photos, you will probably want to take a quick minute before each tasting segment. Once you are tasting, you will want both hands free.

Inside the brewhouse: the beer from the tank stop

The tour includes a brewhouse tour, and it also includes a specific tasting tied to production, the beer from the tank. That combination is a practical way to make the brewery feel real, not just themed.

When a guide connects a pour to the tank stage, you learn faster because you are matching flavor cues to a real production step. Even if you are not a beer geek, you start picking up patterns, like how time, temperature, and fermentation choices can show up in the final glass.

This part is also where the tour often becomes memorable in a very personal way. In the reviews, the guide Michael gets praised for being entertaining, and that kind of energy is especially noticeable when you are standing near the equipment and want the explanations to feel human.

Drawback to consider: brewery access can mean you are on your feet for part of the time, and you might be in areas with strong smells from brewing processes. It is not described as a long hike, but you should still wear comfortable shoes.

Small group of 12 and the role of Michael as your guide

The maximum group size of 12 travelers is not just a number on the listing. It changes how the whole thing feels.

In a smaller group, the guide can actually answer follow-up questions. You are more likely to get a direct response instead of a general explanation. You also tend to get more attention while you are tasting, which can be great if you want tips on what to notice in the glass.

The reviews highlight Michael specifically, with people calling out that he is knowledgeable and entertaining. Since the program is built around guided tasting plus a brewhouse walk-through, the guide has to do both, and Michael appears to handle both parts well.

If your ideal tour includes interaction, this is a solid match. If you prefer silent self-guided experiences only, you might find the guided element less satisfying.

Price and value: $34.28 for beer, brewhouse time, and a 10% discount

At $34.28 per person, this is not a bargain flight where you pay for a few sips. But it is also not an inflated price tag for a brief chat and a tiny sample.

You are paying for:

• The arrival welcome beer
• The flight of 6 tasters
• Additional included beers during the tour (including a brewery beer and beer from the tank)
• A closing end-of-tour beer
• Two complimentary pints
• And a 10% discount in the taproom and on merchandise after the experience

That last point is a real part of the value. If you end up enjoying the beer enough to buy a bottle, a glass, or merch, the discount can soften the cost of those purchases. Even if you do not shop, the fact that the tour is structured to send you into the taproom afterward is a clue that the brewery wants you to keep the momentum going.

One more practical value point: the tour runs about 1 hour 15 minutes. You are paying for a focused chunk of time, not a half-day commitment.

If you are planning a Camden afternoon with multiple stops, this is also a predictable way to budget your time and money.

No food included: how to plan your Camden day around the tasting

This is the part I would underline for anyone trying the tour. There is no dinner included. That means your best move is to eat beforehand or have a clear plan for food right after.

Because you will be drinking more than a single sample, showing up on an empty stomach can turn a fun tasting into a rushed end. If you are traveling with friends and you want everyone to enjoy the experience, coordinate timing so you do not all arrive hungry and then scramble to find food after.

Also, remember that the tour includes multiple beers. Bring your own pace. If you want to keep exploring Camden the same day, think about water and about how you will get home.

The upside is that since no food is included, you are free to choose what you want to eat afterward. Camden has plenty of options, and this tour does not force one fixed menu on you.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

This tour is a strong fit if:

• You want a guided craft beer tasting with context, not just a free pour
• You enjoy brewery tours and like seeing production equipment while you learn
• You want a smaller-group format with a maximum of 12
• You plan to visit the taproom after and might use the 10% discount

It might be less satisfying if:

• You are not into alcoholic tastings or you prefer tea, soda, or non-alcoholic experiences
• You want a food-focused outing, since dinner is not included
• You dislike guided tours and prefer to read or explore on your own

It also can be a nice choice for groups who share a beer interest. One review mentions bringing the whole family and having a great time, which suggests the vibe can work for mixed groups as long as everyone is comfortable with the tasting format.

If you are in Camden for a short stay, the 1 hour 15 minutes duration is also a plus, because you can fit it between other stops without stretching your day.

Should you book the 3 Locks Brewing Company tasting tour

I would book it if you want a compact, craft-first experience with a real brewery focus, plus enough beer to feel like you got your money’s worth. The best signs are the structure, the small group size, and the fact that the tour includes more than one tasting moment, including the beer from the tank.

I would hesitate only if you strongly prefer food to be part of the ticket, or if you want a long, wandering tour where you can take your time. This one is built to be efficient and beer-forward.

If you book, I suggest you plan a meal timing that makes the tastings comfortable, and then leave room afterward to sit in the taproom. With the included 10% discount on taproom purchases and merchandise, the end of the tour is set up for a natural follow-through.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $34.28 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

How many beers are included in the tasting?

You sample six different beers as part of a flight of 6 tasters. The experience also includes additional beers during the tour and two complimentary pints.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour starts at 3 Locks Brewing Company, Arch 14, 15 Water Ln., Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY, UK. It ends back at the meeting point.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. A mobile ticket is included.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?

Free cancellation is available. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund, and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.