The Kernel Brewery – Bermondsey, London

The Kernel is one of the most influential breweries in the UK craft beer movement, known for precise pale ales, hop-driven IPAs and historic porter recipes brewed in small batches on London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile.

A London Porter – The Kernel Brewery

Historic. Dark. Quintessentially London.

Beer Overview

A London Porter from The Kernel Brewery is a faithful interpretation of a historic porter recipe from Whitbread’s Brewery archives dated 1896, discovered in the Durden Park Beer Circle publication Old British Beers and How to Make Them. In the original brewing records the beer was simply called “Porter”, but The Kernel refers to it as A London Porter to distinguish it from its stronger, more hop-forward sibling, Export India Porter.

Where Export India Porter is brighter and more hop-driven, London Porter is warm, dark and deeply comforting. Rich roasted malt character delivers layers of chocolate, coffee and dark fruit, creating a porter that feels both historically authentic and beautifully drinkable.

Flavour Profile

Taste: Chocolate, roasted coffee and dark malt with rich dried fruit notes of raisin, prune and date.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, smooth and nourishing.
Finish: Balanced espresso bitterness with lingering cocoa and roast.

Aroma

Deep aromas of cocoa, roasted coffee and dark chocolate combine with hints of dried fruit, leather and subtle smoky malt character.

Brewing Process & Uniqueness

The recipe for A London Porter reflects traditional London brewing practices of the late 19th century. A large proportion of brown malt provides the beer’s distinctive character, contributing gentle spice alongside subtle flavours of smoke, leather and tar. The addition of black malt during the boil—a technique historically associated with London brewing—enhances the porter’s roasted coffee character.

The malt bill of Maris Otter, brown, black, amber and crystal malts builds the beer’s depth and layered complexity, while East Kent Goldings hops provide classic British balance. Fermented with The Kernel’s house ale yeast, the result is a porter that combines historic authenticity with the brewery’s modern precision.

Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at: 8–10°C in a nonic pint or tulip glass.

Perfect with:

• Roast beef or hearty stews

• Smoked meats and BBQ dishes

• Mature cheddar or blue cheese

• Chocolate desserts

• Sticky toffee pudding

The Kernel Brewery is one of the most influential breweries in the UK craft beer movement. Founded in 2009 by Evin O’Riordain in Bermondsey, London, the brewery quickly established itself as a pioneer of modern British craft brewing through its focus on quality, balance and traditional brewing techniques.

Inspired by classic European and American brewing traditions, The Kernel became known for producing precise, flavour-driven beers that highlight both high-quality ingredients and careful brewing processes. Their hop-forward pale ales and IPAs helped redefine the style in the UK, often showcasing single hop varieties or carefully selected hop combinations to explore the unique character of each hop.

Alongside their celebrated pale ales, The Kernel has earned widespread recognition for its London-style porters and stouts, which pay homage to the capital’s historic brewing heritage. These darker beers combine rich roasted malt character with exceptional balance and drinkability, earning them a loyal following among craft beer enthusiasts.

The brewery operates from its home in Bermondsey, part of London’s famous Bermondsey Beer Mile, where it played a central role in shaping the area into one of the UK’s most important craft beer destinations.

Known for its distinctive minimalist labels and no-nonsense approach to brewing, The Kernel remains committed to producing small-batch beers that prioritise clarity of flavour, precision and quality above all else. Today, it continues to stand as one of the UK’s most respected independent breweries.

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Product is 1 x can/bottle, unless otherwise stated and not multiple. Image is purely for visual representation, actual product may differ. Glassware shown is not included.