Beer straight from the tank sounds wild. At 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market, I like the beer straight from the tank moment and the 6-beer guided tasting, because you learn fast and drink even faster; the one catch is it’s a lot of beer in 1.5 hours, so plan your evening like you mean it.

The vibe is friendly and informal, and the guides (Mick and Shay come up a lot in the tour experience) mix smart beer talk with easy humour. You also get a 10% taproom discount on beers and merch after the tour, which makes it a solid value if you want to stay for one more round.

Key things I’d bet on before you book

• Beer straight from the tank is the headline, and it’s exactly what it sounds like
• 6-beer guided tasting keeps the learning focused and the variety high
• More pours than a typical brewery tour, thanks to welcome and end-of-tour beers
• Guides like Mick and Shay bring humour plus real explanations
• Taproom 10% discount means the tour can turn into a mini night out

Camden Market meets a real working brewhouse

Camden Market has that instant visitor energy, but this tour pulls you out of the tourist lane and into a functioning brewery setup. You’re in the right place if you want your beer experience to feel hands-on rather than like a museum stop.

What makes 3 Locks especially fun is that it doesn’t treat tasting like a chore. It’s built around guided sampling, brewhouse time, and that signature tank pour. If you like your activities with a clear payoff, this one has it.

Why the tasting format works (and how to enjoy it)

You’ll start with a welcome beer, then move into a guided tasting flight of 6 beers. That flight matters because it gives you a structured way to notice differences without needing to know brewing terms ahead of time.

From there, the tour adds extra drinking moments beyond the flight. You’ll get to drink in the brewery, try beer straight out of the tank, and finish with an end-of-tour beer. It’s a lot of sampling, so go in curious rather than picky. If you worry you’ll get overwhelmed by choice, the guide’s pacing is exactly what helps.

One small practical note: this isn’t a tasting for people trying to stay totally sober. It’s an alcohol-focused experience designed for enjoying beer as the main event.

The Camden Market brewery angle: convenient, but still “the real thing”

3 Locks calls itself Camden Market’s first ever brewery, and that’s part of the appeal. You get that famous London-area market setting while still stepping into a production environment.

For you, that translates into less “how do I get there?” stress. You’re already near a cluster of food and drink options, and the tour’s 1.5-hour length fits well between other plans.

The only consideration is practical: this is a brewery setting. The tour info lists no open-toed shoes, so wear something closed and stable. You’ll thank yourself if there’s any time spent around flooring or equipment areas.

The brewhouse tour: what you actually get to see

After the tasting starts, you’ll get a full tour of the brewhouse. This is where the tour goes from fun to useful. Beer gets explained through the workflow you can see, not just through a lecture.

What you’re looking for is cause-and-effect: how ingredients and process show up as flavour and texture in the glass. The guides you’ll likely hear from—people named Mick and Michael in past tour feedback—are described as engaging, funny, and genuinely helpful with the “why,” not just the “what.”

If you love beer but hate reading labels, this is a good compromise. You’ll leave with a mental map of how brewing choices create results you can taste.

Beer straight from the tank: the signature moment

This is the part most people latch onto, and it’s not a gimmick. Drinking beer straight from the tank gives you a different feel than what you’re used to in a can or a glass poured from elsewhere.

You’re not just sampling another beer. You’re sampling the brewery’s timing, temperature, and handling style—things that can change how flavour lands. It’s also a memorable “only happens here” moment, the kind you’ll remember months later.

For the best experience, take it slow. In the tank pour moment, I like to treat it like a checkpoint: taste first, then think second. If you chase flavours too aggressively, you’ll miss what the guide is trying to show you.

The guided tasting of 6 beers: variety with a purpose

A flight of six is a sweet spot. It’s enough variety to see styles and differences, but not so many that the session turns into blur.

The key value here is the guide’s commentary. Past tour feedback points to expert guidance with witty remarks and clear insights into the brewing process. That pairing—information plus humour—keeps it from feeling like a quiz.

For you, the practical benefit is confidence. After this, you’re more likely to pick a pint in the taproom without second-guessing what you’re ordering. Even if you don’t memorize every term, you’ll understand the flavour logic.

Drinking in the brewery: a small change that feels big

Many brewery tours let you “watch” while tasting happens elsewhere. Here, you’ll also drink inside the brewery as part of the experience.

That matters because it makes the environment part of the story. You’re closer to the source. The smells, sounds, and the working feel of the space all help you connect the explanation to what’s in your glass.

It’s one of those details that sounds minor until you’re there and it clicks. If you want beer experiences that feel alive, not staged, this is a plus.

Price and value: is £30 (about $33) worth it?

At £30 per person (listed as about $33), this tour is priced like a mid-range brewery activity. The value comes from how much beer you actually get.

You receive multiple pours: a welcome beer, a flight tasting of 6 beers, additional beer in the brewhouse, beer straight out of the tank, and an end-of-tour final beer. That’s more than the “one beer plus a sample” model that some tours use.

So your money buys two things at once: guided tasting value and production-side experience value. If you’d otherwise be buying pints on your own in Camden Market, this can feel efficient. And if you do want more after, the 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch helps you extend the evening for less.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• enjoy beer and want a structured tasting that doesn’t require prior knowledge
• like learning through doing, not just listening
• want a memorable Camden Market stop that’s more than a quick drink

It’s also a good match for groups of friends who want one shared activity that’s social but still guided.

On the other hand, it’s not for everyone. The tour notes it’s not suitable for children under 18, and the activity is built around alcohol-focused tasting. If you’re looking for a lightweight stroll with a single sip, this will feel heavy.

How to plan your day around 1.5 hours in Camden Market

The tour runs about 1.5 hours, so it’s easy to slot into a half-day schedule. Camden Market itself is packed, and this helps you avoid spending your whole afternoon chasing timing.

I suggest building your schedule with a buffer afterward. You’ll be tasting multiple beers, so don’t stack a demanding activity right after. Keep it simple: dinner nearby, a walk, or a calm final drink with that taproom discount in mind.

Also, wear shoes you can move around in comfortably. The tour explicitly says no open-toed shoes, which is a small rule that usually reflects real brewery safety habits.

Should you book the 3 Locks Brewing Company tour?

Yes—if beer is your priority and you want a tour that rewards your time with real tasting moments. The combination of a guided flight of 6 beers plus the tank pour and extra brewery pours makes this feel like more than a standard tour.

Skip it if you’re unsure about drinking multiple beers in a short window, or if you’re hoping for something that’s more about history displays and less about tasting and process.

If you’re the type who reads menus and thinks: what will this taste like? this is your kind of experience. It gives you flavour education you can actually use the next time you order.

FAQ

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

The tour duration is 1.5 hours.

How much does it cost?

Tickets are £30 per person, and it’s listed as about $33.

What’s included in the tour?

You get a welcome beer, a guided tasting with a flight of 6 beers, beer in the brewhouse, beer straight out of the tank, and an end-of-tour final beer. You also receive a 10% discount in the taproom on beers and merch.

Is this tour family-friendly?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

Are open-toed shoes allowed?

No. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Where do I check in?

Check in with the bar team.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.