A good pint starts with the pour

This East End craft brewery tour is a guided walk through Hackney and the surrounding microbrewery scene, built around four distinct taprooms and short tasting stops. I especially like that you get included drinks at each place, and that your guide Paul shares practical tasting know-how, including how to notice those beer head details people call beer tops. One thing to consider: it’s a 3 to 4 hour evening activity, so plan for a late 6:00 pm start and the fact you’ll be on your feet between stops.

You’ll meet at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard (61 Mare St, London E8 4RG) and finish at Deviant & Dandy Brewery (185 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB). The tour runs in English, keeps groups to a max of 20, and ends with guidance to the nearest train station (Hackney Central), which is handy if you want a smooth getaway.

Key highlights at a glance

• Four taproom stops with a short, paced visit at each place (about 45 minutes).
• Included drink at every stop: you can choose beer or a soft drink in the portion set by the tour.
• Hands-on tasting talk focused on how to taste beer properly, not just what to drink.
• Local beer scene routes around Hackney, with plenty of personality in each venue.
• Small group size (up to 20), which makes questions easy.
• Paul guides the experience, and on some runs you may also meet his colleague Noel.

How this 3–4 hour East End beer walk actually flows

This is designed like a friendly, structured pub crawl—minus the aimless wandering. You start at 6:00 pm at Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, then move through three more taprooms, spending around 45 minutes at each. That timing matters: it’s long enough to settle in, compare styles, and ask questions, but short enough that the group doesn’t stall out or wait too long.

Also, the tour doesn’t lock you into beer only. Each stop includes a serving of beer or soft drink, so if you don’t drink beer, you can still join for the beer education and the change of scenery. The format is especially useful if you’ve ever felt like “craft beer talk” is too technical—you’ll get practical guidance on what to notice and why.

You’ll finish at Deviant & Dandy Brewery, and the guide will help you get pointed toward Hackney Central so you’re not stuck figuring out transport after a few tastings.

Stop 1: Five Points Taproom & Courtyard for an easy first pour

Your evening kicks off at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard on Mare Street. This is a smart first stop because it gives you a comfortable landing point before you go exploring deeper into the East End beer vibe.

What I like about starting here: you’re not thrown into a complicated maze of rules. You get the included drink right away (beer or soft drink, portion set by the tour), and you can use that first half hour to get your bearings. If you’re new to craft beer, this is a good place to start comparing what different brews smell like and how the head looks when it’s freshly served.

One practical tip: pay attention to the glass and the pour. A good beer tasting starts visually, and the guide’s teaching style tends to push you to look for details. In particular, the tour is known for pointing out those head elements people casually ignore—what your guide calls beer tops (froth/head design and how it forms).

Stop 2: Forest Road Brewing Co. Taproom & Bar and learning how to taste

Next up is Forest Road Brewing Co. Taproom & Bar. This stop builds on the foundation from the first place. By now you’ve had a drink and you know how the tour pace feels, so the tasting talk can really land.

This is where the tour earns its keep for me. It’s not just “try this, try that.” Your guide Paul tends to explain what’s happening in the glass and why it matters for flavor—how to observe aroma, how to notice how beer looks when you hold it up, and how to take a sip that actually tells you something.

If you’ve ever taken a sip and thought, okay, but what am I supposed to be tasting, you’ll like this part. The approach helps you separate what you like from what you don’t, and it gives you a shared language for asking better questions at any taproom later.

And yes, you’ll still get another included beer-or-soft-drink serving here. That makes it a balanced stop: education without the “dry lecture” feeling.

Stop 3: Hackney Church Brew for local craft character

After Forest Road, you’ll head to Hackney Church Brew. The name alone signals you’re not in cookie-cutter beer country. This is one of the stops where you’ll likely notice the venues feel different from each other—even though the purpose is the same: short tasting, short chat, then move on.

This stop tends to work well for people who want the craft beer scene to feel rooted in place, not like a list of brands. You’ll have about 45 minutes here as well, which is perfect for comparing what you’re drinking across stops without getting overwhelmed.

If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t love beer, this is also a good moment. The tour’s structure lets them keep pace: they can choose a soft drink, still listen to the guide’s explanations, and still get something out of the experience. The goal is understanding the process and the choices brewers make—not forcing everyone into the same taste preferences.

Stop 4: Deviant & Dandy (founded 2017) in an old courtyard

The final stop is Deviant & Dandy Brewery. This one is a strong closer because it’s described as a taproom in an old courtyard and it focuses on fresh lagers, pales, and sours. That spread is useful: by the time you reach the last stop, you’ve already had a few beers in play, so shifting styles at the end helps you notice contrast.

I like the way this ending feels. Instead of ending on a random final pub, you finish at a place with a clear identity and a style lineup that invites comparison. If you’re the type who likes to pick up flavor notes in retrospect, this is your moment—think: how did your palate change after the earlier tastings, and which beer style matched what you were looking for in the glass?

It’s also a practical finish. Once you’re done, the guide helps you get directed toward Hackney Central, so you’re not stuck hunting for your next move with a sore head and a half-empty glass.

Why the included drinks and short stops are good value

The tour includes a drink at each stop (beer or soft drink, portion set by the tour). That’s not just a perk—it’s part of how the experience stays fair and fun. You’re not constantly calculating costs while your group is moving. You’re simply tasting, learning, and asking questions.

The 45-minute pacing also protects your evening. With only four stops total, the tour avoids the common problem of “too many places, not enough time.” You get enough time to understand what you’re trying without feeling stuck in one bar for ages.

One more value point: since the tour stays small (max 20), Paul can handle questions in a way that doesn’t feel like shouting over everyone. That matters if you’re curious—about brewing basics, tasting technique, or why one style feels sharper or rounder than another.

Paul and Noel: beer education that feels friendly, not stuffy

A huge part of why this tour works is the guide style. Paul is the lead guide most of the time, and on some runs you might also be with his colleague Noel. Either way, the tone stays relaxed.

What stands out is the focus on how to taste beer. Paul’s explanations include practical points like learning what to look for when assessing beer head—those beer tops details people might treat as background noise. He also tends to answer questions about beer history and brewing technique, but in a way that supports the tasting you’re doing in real time.

There’s also a strong “good company” element. The tour doesn’t feel like a task list. It feels like walking with someone who’s excited about beer, while still keeping the pace organized so you don’t lose time.

Who should book this tour (and who might skip it)

This is a great fit if you want a craft beer experience that’s structured enough to feel easy, but still personal enough to learn. You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You like trying small breweries and comparing beer styles.
• You want a guided way to learn tasting basics (including head and aroma).
• You’re traveling with friends and want a fun, shared activity with conversation.

You might think twice if:

• You hate walking between stops or you prefer long stays in one place.
• You want a strictly quiet, no-talk experience (this one is built around explanation and questions).

Should you book the East End Craft Brewery Tour?

If you want a London brewery tour that feels like a guided evening with real beer education, I’d book it. The best reason is the combination: four distinct taprooms in the East End, included drinks at every stop, and tasting guidance that helps you understand what’s in your glass.

I’d also consider booking if you’re not a die-hard beer person. The tour’s beer-or-soft-drink options mean you can still take part and still come away feeling smarter about what craft brewers are doing.

FAQ

What time does the East End Craft Brewery Tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

Where do I meet the tour?

You’ll meet at The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, 61 Mare St, London E8 4RG.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 3 to 4 hours.

How many places do you visit?

You visit four stops: The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, Forest Road Brewing Co., Hackney Church Brew, and Deviant & Dandy Brewery.

What’s included with each stop?

At each stop, the tour includes a serving of beer or a soft drink (the tour states a half pint or 2/3 serving).

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Deviant & Dandy Brewery (185 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB), and the guide will direct you to the nearest train station, Hackney Central.

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