London: Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers

Five Points Brewery turns beer-making into a hands-on London outing. You walk through a working independent brewery, see the brewhouse and packaging lines, then settle above the floor for four one-third-pint samples drawn fresh from the tank. The guide adds brewing science and some wonderfully unruly stories from the capital’s beer past.

I like the fresh-from-the-tank tasting, which gives the final part of the tour a clear purpose, and I like the easy after-tour option: your ticket brings 10 percent off a first round and the food menu. The main consideration is that this is a short introduction, not a full brewery masterclass, and the 1.5-hour visit may feel brief if you want lots of technical detail.

Key points at a glance

• Four beers in one-third-pint measures: You get a proper flight rather than a token sip, with the samples served while seated on a mezzanine terrace.
• A real brewery floor: The route includes the brewhouse and packaging lines, so you see production rather than only a polished tasting room.
• Hackney setting: Five Points sits in a fashionable part of Greater London, making the tour easy to pair with other time in east London.
• Beer stories with a comic edge: The guide covers brewing science and the strange, entertaining side of London’s beer past.
• Useful after-tour savings: A 10 percent discount applies to your first round at the bar and to food.
• Adult-only format: You must be at least 18, and open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, pets, and intoxication are not allowed.

Five Points Brewery puts the working floor first

The appeal here is simple: you are not just handed four small glasses and sent on your way. You enter Five Points Brewery and see the place where the beer is made, packaged, and served.

That matters if you want a sense of scale and routine. The brewery is an independent business in Hackney, and the tour lets you watch the practical side of that operation. You can expect the guide to point out the brewhouse and packaging lines while explaining how the various parts fit together.

I like this approach because it gives the tasting some context. A beer can taste good on its own, but it becomes more interesting when you understand that it has passed through a series of deliberate brewing steps before reaching your glass.

The visit lasts 90 minutes. That is long enough for a guided look and a relaxed tasting, but it also sets a limit on how far the technical discussion can go. If you already know your way around malt, yeast, hops, fermentation, and packaging, you may find the treatment fairly introductory. For curious beer drinkers, it should strike a useful middle ground.

Meeting at the Hackney taproom

You check in at the main bar when you arrive. If you are early, you can grab a pint while waiting, though that is optional and separate from the four beers included in the tasting.

The meeting point is also the end point, which keeps the outing straightforward. You do not need to follow a guide across town or work out where the tour finishes. You return to the taproom after the brewery portion and can use your discount there.

The setting helps the tour feel connected to the business rather than staged as a separate attraction. The taproom is where the brewery’s work meets the public, and the tour allows you to see both sides in one visit.

Bring a passport or ID card. A copy is accepted, and the activity is for adults aged 18 and over. Wear closed-toe shoes, since sandals and flip-flops are not permitted. The rules also exclude pets and anyone who is intoxicated or behaving in an anti-social way.

Seeing the brewhouse and packaging lines

The first main part of the visit is a guided walk through the brewery. Your English-speaking guide explains what goes into making craft beer and shows you the brewhouse and packaging lines.

The value is in seeing the equipment while hearing how it is used. Instead of treating beer as a finished product, the tour gives you a look at the working stages behind it. You can ask questions as the guide explains the process, although the amount of detail may depend on the group and the guide leading that session.

This is also where the independent-brewery angle matters. You get a look inside a functioning local business, not only a historical display or a tasting counter. The setting gives the talk a practical feel, since the machinery and production areas are close at hand.

The tour also covers the company itself. That adds useful background to the beer in your glass, particularly if you want to understand what makes Five Points different from a pub pouring beer from an anonymous keg.

Safety and access rules are worth keeping in mind. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should still arrive prepared for a brewery environment and follow the guide’s directions around working equipment.

Four one-third-pint samples fresh from the tank

After the brewery walk, you sit on a mezzanine beer terrace overlooking the brewery. This is the most relaxed section of the experience and the point where the machinery below becomes part of the view.

You taste at least four different Five Points beers, each served in a one-third-pint measure. That is a generous enough flight to compare several beers without turning a short afternoon into a long drinking session. The samples are fresh from the tank, which gives the tasting a direct link to the brewery floor you have just seen.

The guide talks through the beers and explains some of the science behind brewing. You can expect the focus to be on understanding what you are tasting rather than simply moving from glass to glass.

I particularly like the seated format. Brewery tours can involve a fair amount of standing, noise, and walking, so having time on the mezzanine makes the tasting feel less rushed. It also lets you look back over the production area while you drink.

The exact beer selection is not specified in advance. That is normal for a working brewery, where the available beers can change. You should expect four Five Points beers, but do not book this hoping for a particular style unless the provider confirms it before your visit.

London’s beer past, with a lighter touch

The tour is not limited to production. Your guide also covers the history of beer in London, including unusual facts and stories that show how closely brewing has been tied to city life.

This section gives the outing a wider purpose. You are not only learning how beer is made at Five Points, but also hearing how beer became part of London’s daily culture and odd public stories. The tone is meant to be lively, with wild anecdotes and humorous facts rather than a dry lecture.

A guide named Bex has been praised for being warm and fun, and another session was described as particularly strong on beer-making knowledge. That suggests the guide can make a real difference to the experience. The core route remains the same, but an engaging storyteller will make the history and science easier to remember.

Still, keep your expectations in proportion. The tour is 90 minutes and includes a brewery walk plus four tastings. The historical section is there to entertain and add context, not to replace a full study of London’s brewing past.

What the $26.94 price gets you

At $26.94 per person, the price is reasonable if you value both access and tasting. You are paying for a guided brewery visit, four one-third-pint beers, and the chance to see areas of an operating business that a normal taproom visit would not include.

The quantity of beer helps the value. Four proper samples give you enough to compare, and the portions are not merely decorative tasting drops. The discount after the tour also matters if you plan to stay for another drink or order food.

The 10 percent savings apply to your first round from the taproom bar and to the food menu. I would treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to book on its own. Your final cost will depend on what you order afterward, but the discount makes lingering at the brewery more appealing.

The price is less compelling if you only want a few beers in Hackney. In that case, a regular taproom visit may be enough. The tour earns its cost through the behind-the-scenes access, the guide, and the explanation of how the beer is made.

Who will enjoy this brewery visit

This is a good fit for adults who enjoy craft beer and want more than a pub tasting. You do not need to be a brewing expert. The mix of practical production details, London beer stories, and four samples gives beginners plenty to follow.

It also suits a short east London plan. At 1.5 hours, the tour takes up only part of an afternoon and ends where it began. You can use the food and drink discount afterward, which makes the brewery a natural place to continue your visit.

Beer fans who already understand brewing may appreciate the access but want more depth than the format provides. The same applies if you are seeking a large selection of styles or a long guided session. The booking promises four beers, not an expansive tasting menu.

The adult-only rule makes the choice clear for families: children under 18 cannot join. Anyone with concerns about standing, footwear, or moving through a working brewery should contact the provider before booking, even though the activity is described as wheelchair accessible.

Practical details that can shape your visit

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning the rest of your day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are arranging a London schedule that may change.

Arrive at the main bar and check in there. Early arrival is not wasted time, since you can have a separate pint while waiting. Just remember that this drink is not part of the four included tasting measures.

Wear closed-toe shoes and bring acceptable identification. The provider can refuse service to anyone who arrives intoxicated or shows anti-social behaviour, so save the serious drinking for after the tour.

Should you book Five Points Brewery?

Book this tour if you want a compact, social introduction to independent London brewing, with a real production area, four fresh samples, and an easy place to keep drinking or eat afterward.

Skip it if you want a long technical seminar, a large beer list, or a broad tour of several breweries. The strongest reasons to go are the fresh tank tasting, the view over the brewery from the mezzanine, and the guide’s mix of brewing facts and entertaining London stories. For $26.94, that is a solid package for an adult beer fan spending time in Hackney.

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 activity end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in the taproom.

How long does the brewery tour last?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours.

How many beers are included?

You taste at least four different Five Points craft beers.

How much beer is served for each tasting?

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

Are the beers served fresh from the brewery?

Yes. The tasting beers are served fresh from the tank.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking guide.

Can children join the tour?

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

Is the brewery tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring and wear?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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

Do I get a discount after the tour?

Yes. Tour participants receive 10 percent off a first round of drinks at the taproom and 10 percent off the food menu.