North London Craft Brewery Tour

Beer makes a fine map. This half-day tour takes you to four North London breweries, with a half or two-thirds pint included at each stop. I like the easy four-stop plan and the chance to see a part of London many visitors miss, while the main tradeoff is that the afternoon moves at a steady pace, leaving limited time at each brewery.

I also like that the beer tastings are built into the $67 price, so you are not reaching for your wallet after every pour. The friendly social side is another plus. Guide Paul Davies has been praised for his beer knowledge and relaxed manner, with one visitor saying the afternoon felt like meeting an old friend.

Four breweries, four useful reasons to go

• Four North London stops in one afternoon: You visit Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom, Wild Card Brewery, Exale Taproom, and Signature Brew Taproom.
• A tasting at every stop: Each brewery includes a half or two-thirds pint of beer, or a soft drink.
• Paul Davies may lead the way: His clear answers about brewing and warm conversation are a major part of the experience.
• A practical start and finish: Meet at Blackhorse Road Underground station at 1:00 pm, then finish at Big Penny Head Office on Priestley Way.
• A small-group setting: The tour accepts a maximum of 20 people, which should make conversation easier than on a large coach outing.
• A social way to see London: The format is well suited to solo visitors and anyone keen to meet fellow beer fans.

Why North London works for a brewery tour

Central London has its famous pubs, but its beer story does not end around the West End or the South Bank. This tour sends you toward North London, where the focus is on working breweries and taprooms rather than landmark sightseeing.

That difference matters. You are not simply ordering a pint in a pub with a decorative beer list. You are visiting four places connected to the brewing scene and tasting their drinks in those settings. The tour does not promise a brewery lecture at every stop, but the format gives you a useful overview of several local operations in one afternoon.

I like this approach because planning a self-guided brewery crawl can be awkward. You need to work out transport, opening hours, walking routes, and which places are worth your time. Here, the guide handles the route, and you can concentrate on tasting and conversation.

The tour lasts about three to four hours, with roughly 45 minutes at each brewery. That is enough time for a drink, an introduction, and a look around, but it is not a long brewery visit with a full production tour at every stop. Think of it as a guided tasting route, not a technical brewing course.

Meeting at Blackhorse Road at 1:00 pm

The afternoon begins at Blackhorse Road Underground station, at Blackhorse Road, London E17 6ND. Starting beside an Underground station makes the first step fairly simple, especially if you are staying elsewhere in London and do not want to find an obscure pub or industrial unit.

You should arrive with enough time to locate the meeting point and settle in before 1:00 pm. The group may include people who do not know one another, which is part of the appeal. A short introduction can quickly turn into a conversation about favorite beer styles, London pubs, or the day’s plans.

The maximum group size is 20. That is not tiny, so you should not expect a private tasting, but it is still manageable for a guide leading a moving group through four stops. A group of this size also fits the social purpose of the tour. You have company without being placed on a large sightseeing bus.

The listed end point is Big Penny Head Office at 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL. The group is guided to the nearest Underground station after the tour. That final detail is useful, since the end point is not the same as the starting location. Plan your evening from the finish, not from Blackhorse Road.

Stop one: Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom

The first stop is Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom, with about 45 minutes set aside. Your included serving is a half or two-thirds pint of beer, or a soft drink if you prefer not to drink alcohol.

Starting here gives the group a chance to get comfortable. You can meet the guide, learn how the afternoon will work, and begin with a proper brewery setting rather than trying to guess which taproom is next. The stop also sets the pattern for the rest of the tour: arrive, hear about the place and its beer, taste a serving, and move on.

Do not expect to sample every beer on offer. A half or two-thirds pint is a sensible amount when four stops are packed into one afternoon. It lets you taste without turning the tour into a long session at the first brewery.

The main limitation is time. Forty-five minutes can pass quickly if the group has a lot of questions. If you are especially interested in production equipment or the business side of brewing, ask early and make use of the guide’s knowledge while the group is together.

Stop two: Wild Card Brewery

Wild Card Brewery is the second stop, again for about 45 minutes. You receive another half or two-thirds pint, or a soft drink, as part of the tour.

By this point, the route begins to make more sense. You are no longer judging one brewery in isolation. You can compare the feel of one taproom with the next and notice how different breweries present their drinks and spaces.

This is one reason a guided route has value. A single brewery visit gives you one view of London beer. Four stops provide a broader sample, even though the tasting at each one is modest. You can ask Paul about how the beers differ, how they are made, or what makes each brewery worth visiting.

The supplied information does not specify the exact beer poured at Wild Card, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed list of styles or brands. The appeal is the changing stop and guided tasting, not a fixed flight that you can plan around in advance.

Stop three: Exale Taproom

The third stop is Exale Taproom, with another 45-minute visit and another included half or two-thirds pint. You can also choose a soft drink, which makes the tour workable for people who are interested in breweries but do not want four alcoholic servings.

This is a good point in the afternoon to pay attention to your pace. Four tastings can add up, even when each pour is smaller than a full pint. The inclusion of soft drinks gives you some flexibility, but the tour details do not list food or a meal, so you should not treat the tasting servings as lunch.

Exale is also where the social side may become more obvious. By the third stop, introductions are out of the way and the group has shared part of the route. The experience is designed for conversation, not silent sampling. If you arrive alone, this format gives you a natural way to meet people without having to organize a pub crawl yourself.

Again, the 45-minute limit keeps the route moving. That is good for variety, but less useful if you want to linger. I would choose this tour for breadth and company rather than for a slow afternoon spent studying one brewery.

Stop four: Signature Brew Taproom

The final brewery is Signature Brew Taproom, where you have a last 45-minute tasting. Your included serving is once again a half or two-thirds pint of beer, with a soft drink option available.

Finishing at a taproom gives the afternoon a clear final stop before the group heads toward the listed end point at Big Penny Head Office on Priestley Way. You will have visited four North London breweries within roughly three to four hours, which is a solid amount of ground for one afternoon.

The last stop can be useful for comparing your impressions. By then, you have tasted at several breweries and can think about which beers and settings suited you best. The tour does not state that you receive takeaway beer, food, or a formal graduation-style tasting, so any purchases beyond the included serving would be your own responsibility.

Since the end location differs from the meeting point, keep your evening plans flexible. The group will be guided to the nearest Underground station, but the supplied details do not give a precise end time.

What the $67 price really covers

At $67, this is not the cheapest way to drink beer in London. If your only goal is to buy four pints, you could likely spend less or more depending on the venue. That is not the right comparison, though.

The fee includes four brewery visits, four half or two-thirds pint tastings, and a guide who handles the route. You are paying for access to a planned afternoon, not just the liquid in the glass. The value improves if you would otherwise spend time researching breweries and working out how to connect them.

The social value also counts. A self-guided crawl can leave you alone with your phone and a map. This tour creates a shared setting, and the small-group limit gives you a better chance to talk with other beer fans. Paul Davies has received especially strong praise for answering questions about making beer and for making the group feel at ease.

The price is less attractive if you already know North London well, have a local beer itinerary, or prefer to stay at one taproom for several hours. You also need to remember that food is not listed as included. If you need a substantial meal during the afternoon, budget and plan for that separately.

The guide can shape the whole afternoon

The breweries are important, but the guide may be the part that makes this experience work. Paul Davies has been praised for his beer knowledge, his willingness to answer questions, and his friendly conversation. That combination suits a tour where the group spends only 45 minutes at each stop.

You do not need to be a beer expert to fit in. The social tone appears relaxed rather than formal, and the format welcomes people who simply enjoy trying local beer. At the same time, you can ask more technical questions if brewing interests you.

Guide quality can vary on any scheduled experience, so it is sensible to view Paul’s involvement as a strong sign rather than a guaranteed promise for every date. The available feedback is limited to two ratings, so it supports the tour’s friendly reputation but does not provide a large sample.

That small sample is worth keeping in mind. The praise is specific, especially around Paul and the easy conversation, but you should not assume every afternoon will feel identical. Group chemistry, brewery activity, and the particular guide on duty can affect the mood.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the tour to you if you want a ready-made afternoon and like meeting people along the way. It suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want to see a side of London beyond the usual sightseeing circuit.

It is also a good fit if you are curious about craft beer but do not want to spend time selecting breweries yourself. The route gives you variety and a guide to help connect the stops.

You may want a different plan if you prefer a quiet tasting, a sit-down meal, or a detailed look at brewing equipment. The short visits and four-stop format favor movement and variety. It is also not ideal if you want to drink large servings, since each included tasting is a half or two-thirds pint.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour runs near public transport, with Underground access at the start and guidance to the nearest station at the finish.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Arrive before the 1:00 pm start. Blackhorse Road Underground station is the meeting point, and being early matters more on a moving tour than it does at a single venue.

Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in, but do not assume the tour is a long walking route. The exact travel method between breweries is not specified, so follow the guide’s directions rather than planning your own route between stops.

Keep your drinking pace measured. Four tastings may sound modest, but the afternoon is continuous. Use the soft drink option if you want to reduce your alcohol intake at any stop.

Ask questions early, especially if you want to learn about ingredients, brewing, or the differences between the breweries. Paul has been praised for answering questions, but a 45-minute stop can move quickly.

Check the final location before booking evening plans. The tour ends at 1 Priestley Way, not back at Blackhorse Road, although you will be guided to the nearest Underground station.

The booking is subject to availability, with confirmation expected within 48 hours. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so book only when your schedule is firm.

FAQ

Where does the North London Craft Brewery Tour start?

The tour starts at Blackhorse Road Underground station, Blackhorse Road, London E17 6ND, UK.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 1:00 pm.

Which breweries are included?

The tour visits Hackney Brewery and High Hill Taproom, Wild Card Brewery, Exale Taproom, and Signature Brew Taproom.

How much beer is included at each stop?

Each stop includes a half or two-thirds pint of beer. You can choose a soft drink instead.

Where does the tour end?

The listed end point is Big Penny Head Office, 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL. The group will be guided to the nearest Underground station.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book this brewery tour?

Book it if you want four North London brewery stops, included tastings, and a guide to handle the route. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of variety and company, with Paul Davies praised for making the afternoon friendly as well as informative.

Skip it if you want a slow visit to one brewery, a full meal, or a detailed production tour. At $67, the price makes sense when you value the planning, guide, and four included tastings. It is less convincing if you only want cheap pints.

For a curious beer drinker who has one free afternoon in London, this is a practical way to trade the usual city checklist for local taprooms, new conversations, and a better sense of North London’s brewing scene.