London: Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers

Beer tells a city’s story. This 90-minute visit to Five Points Brewery gives you a close look at a working Hackney brewery, four fresh beer samples, and a lively lesson in London’s drinking past. I especially like the behind-the-scenes access and the chance to taste beer straight from the brewery while sitting above the production floor. I also like the practical 10% discounts on drinks and food after the tour.

The main drawback is that this is a compact introduction, not a long technical master class. If you already know your way around brewing equipment, some of the material may feel familiar. Still, the warm guide-led approach, generous tasting portions, and relaxed taproom finish make this a good-value stop for beer fans.

Five useful things to know before you go

• Four beers are included: Each sample is served in a one-third pint measure, giving you a proper taste of four different Five Points beers.
• You tour an active brewery: The route includes the brewhouse and packaging lines, so you see the working side of the business rather than only a display room.
• The tasting happens on a mezzanine terrace: You can drink while looking over the brewery floor and listening to the brewing explanation.
• Hackney is part of the appeal: This is an independent London brewery in one of the capital’s best-known creative districts.
• The tour ends where it starts: Check in at the main bar, then stay for food or another drink with a 10% discount.
• Closed shoes and identification matter: Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and you should bring a passport or ID card, with a copy accepted.

Starting at the Five Points Taproom

Your visit begins at the main bar in the Five Points Taproom. Check in there when you arrive. If you are early, you can have a pint while waiting, though that is worth treating as an optional extra rather than part of the tasting included in the tour.

This starting point helps set the tone. You are not being led into a polished museum built only for sightseeing. You are entering a working brewery with a taproom attached, so the smells, sounds, equipment, and staff activity are part of the setting.

The tour lasts about one and a half hours, making it easy to fit into a half-day in Hackney. Starting times vary, so check the available slot before planning the rest of your day. The English-speaking guide leads the full visit, and the tone appears to be friendly rather than formal. Bex, one of the guides, received particular praise for being lovely, while another guide was described as fun and well informed.

That human touch matters on a brewery tour. Tanks and pipes can be hard to understand when left unexplained. A good guide turns the equipment into a story, showing you what each stage does and why it affects the beer in your glass.

Seeing the brewhouse and packaging lines

The first main part of the tour takes you behind the scenes through the brewhouse and packaging areas. You get to see the practical workings of an independent beer company, including the equipment used to make and prepare the beer for sale.

The supplied information does not provide a full technical route or name each machine, so you should not expect a detailed engineering inspection. What you do get is a clear look at the process and the people behind it. The guide explains what goes into making craft beer, from the basic brewing science to the decisions that shape the finished drink.

I like this part because it adds useful context to the tasting. It is easy to discuss hops, malt, yeast, and fermentation in the abstract. It is more helpful when you can connect those ideas with the actual brewery floor and the packaging line that prepares the beer for customers.

You may also find that the active setting gives the tour more character than a purely staged attraction. The trade-off is that a working brewery can be less predictable and less quiet than a museum. That is part of the point, but it may not suit someone looking for a polished, highly theatrical presentation.

The tour also offers a look at an independent London business. That is a valuable part of the visit for anyone curious about how a local brewery operates. You are learning about beer while also seeing the scale and practical effort involved in keeping a small company moving.

Four one-third-pint samples above the brewery floor

After the brewery walk, you settle on a mezzanine beer terrace overlooking the production area. Here you taste four different Five Points beers, each served in a one-third pint measure and described as fresh from the tank.

The serving size is well judged. Four full pints would be too much for many people during a 90-minute visit, but tiny sips would make it hard to compare the beers. Four one-third pint portions give you enough to notice differences without turning the tour into a race to keep up.

The exact beer selection is not specified in advance, so you should expect the tasting lineup to depend on what is available at the brewery. That uncertainty can be a plus if you enjoy trying what is currently fresh, but it means you should not book expecting four particular labels.

The mezzanine setting also improves the tasting. Instead of standing around a crowded bar, you can sit above the brewery and look down at the place where the beer is made. That link between production and tasting gives the samples more meaning.

The tasting was praised for its quality and generous portions. That is useful to know because some brewery tours make the samples feel like an afterthought. Here, the beer is one of the central parts of the visit, not a token sip at the end.

If you are new to craft beer, listen for the guide’s explanations about the science of brewing and use the four samples as a simple comparison exercise. Notice how the beers differ in aroma, bitterness, body, and finish. You do not need expert vocabulary. The point is to find what you like and understand how brewing choices change the result.

London beer stories, facts, and a few laughs

The tour is not only about machinery. Your guide also covers the story of beer in London, including unusual facts and the more surprising tales connected with the capital’s drinking culture.

The description promises wild stories and hilarious facts, and that gives the history section a lighter tone. I prefer this approach for a short brewery visit. You get enough background to understand why beer matters in London without sitting through a long lecture.

The information available does not list the exact historical subjects covered, so you should not arrive expecting a particular famous event or personality. The value is in the broad setting: London’s beer culture has developed alongside the city, and the guide connects that past with the modern independent brewery around you.

This section is also where the guide’s personality matters most. The positive comments about Bex’s friendly manner and another guide’s lively style suggest that the storytelling is a strong part of the visit. Good delivery can turn basic facts into memorable moments, especially when the subject includes odd customs and questionable historical decisions involving beer.

Still, keep your expectations measured. One assessment called the tour pleasant but not groundbreaking. That is fair. This is best seen as an accessible, entertaining introduction rather than a rare discovery for serious brewing historians.

The 10% taproom and food discount

When the guided portion ends, the activity finishes back at the taproom. You are free to stay for another drink or something from the food menu, with a 10% discount on your first round and 10% off food.

This makes the tour more useful as part of an afternoon in Hackney. You do not have to rush away as soon as the last sample is finished. The discount also adds a little value to the $26.94 price, particularly if you already planned to eat or have another drink there.

The discount is not enough to transform the tour into a bargain on its own. Think of it as a welcome extra. The real value comes from the brewery access, guide, four samples, and the time spent explaining both the production process and London beer culture.

You should also remember that any extra drinks or food are not included in the tour price. Budget for them separately if you want to continue at the taproom.

Is $26.94 a fair price?

At $26.94 per person, this sits in a reasonable range for a guided London activity that includes four beer samples. You are paying for more than four drinks. The fee covers a guide, access to a working brewery, explanations of the brewing process, packaging-line viewing, beer history, and a seated tasting.

The one-third pint portions are also meaningful. Four samples add up to more than a single pint, and the variety lets you compare the brewery’s output rather than judging it from one glass.

The price works best for you if you value context. If you only want to drink Five Points beer, buying a pint at the taproom may be simpler and cheaper. If you want to understand how the beer is made and see the operation behind it, the tour earns its fee more convincingly.

The 10% food and drink discounts improve the calculation, especially for an afternoon visit. I would book this for someone who wants a focused activity rather than a full-day attraction. It gives you a clear beginning, a useful middle, and an easy option to continue afterward.

Who will enjoy this brewery visit?

This tour is a good fit for:

• Craft beer beginners: The guide explains brewing in a friendly way, and four samples let you discover your preferences.
• Beer fans visiting London: You get a look at an independent brewery and hear stories about beer in the capital.
• Couples and small groups: The seated tasting and relaxed taproom setting make it social without requiring a full evening commitment.
• People interested in local businesses: The tour shows how an independent brewery functions behind the bar.
• Visitors planning time in Hackney: The 90-minute duration leaves room for other plans before or after.

It may be less suitable if you dislike beer, want a large historical attraction, or already have extensive brewing knowledge and need highly technical instruction. Children under 18 are not allowed, and intoxicated or anti-social behavior can lead to refused service.

The brewery is wheelchair accessible, which makes the activity more open to visitors with mobility needs. You should still follow the footwear rules: sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed. Bring a passport or ID card, and a copy is accepted.

Practical timing and booking advice

Plan to arrive with enough time to check in at the main bar. You can have a pint while waiting if you arrive early, but remember that the tour already includes four beer samples.

The activity is conducted in English. If you need another language, this particular tour may not be the right choice, since English is the only language specified.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled visit for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also helps if your London plans are still changing. Check the available starting times before booking, since the tour does not run at one fixed time stated here.

Wear closed shoes and bring identification. Those are small details, but ignoring them could spoil an otherwise simple visit.

My verdict on the Five Points Brewery tour

I would book this if you want a friendly, practical introduction to London craft beer. The strongest points are the fresh four-beer tasting, the access to the brewhouse and packaging lines, and the guides’ warm, lively delivery.

Do not expect a groundbreaking technical course or a sweeping study of London beer. Expect a well-paced visit to an active independent brewery, a useful explanation of brewing, a few entertaining historical stories, and enough beer to make the subject taste worthwhile.

For $26.94, it offers solid value, especially if you use the taproom discount afterward. It is a smart choice for adults who want to spend 90 minutes learning, tasting, and seeing how a London brewery works from the inside.

FAQ

Where does the Five Points Brewery tour start?

The tour starts at the main bar in the Five Points Taproom in Hackney.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, the Five Points Taproom.

How long does the brewery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

How many beers are included?

Four different Five Points beers are included in the tasting.

How large are the beer samples?

Each beer is served in a one-third pint measure.

Is the beer served at the brewery?

Yes. The tasting beers are served fresh from the tank while you sit on a mezzanine terrace overlooking the brewery.

What parts of the brewery will I see?

The guided route includes the brewhouse and the packaging lines.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The tour is conducted in English, and English is the only language specified.

Are children allowed on the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18 years old.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a passport or ID card, with a copy accepted. Wear closed-toe shoes, since sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Can I stay for food or more drinks afterward?

Yes. After the tour, you can use the taproom. Tour participants receive 10% off their first round of drinks and 10% off the food menu.

Can I cancel the booking?

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