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.

Imperial Brown Stout: London 1856 – The Kernel Brewery

Historic. Deep. Exceptionally Smooth.

Beer Overview

Imperial Brown Stout: London 1856 from The Kernel Brewery is a historic-inspired stout based on an original recipe from the Barclay Perkins brewing archives. These powerful brown stouts were once brewed in London for export and later evolved into what became known as Russian Imperial Stout.

For over two centuries, strong porters and stouts helped define London’s global brewing reputation. By revisiting this 1856 recipe, The Kernel reconnects with a brewing tradition that once made the city famous.

Despite its strength, the beer is remarkably smooth and rounded. Rich cocoa aromatics lead into layers of cream, chocolate and dark fruit complexity, creating a stout that feels both luxurious and balanced.

Flavour Profile

Taste: Creamy chocolate, cocoa and roasted malt with dark fruit notes of raisin, fig and prune.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, smooth and rounded.
Finish: Long and warming with gentle herbal bitterness and hints of lightly roasted coffee.

Aroma

Deep cocoa and chocolate aromas dominate the nose, followed by rich dried fruit notes including raisin, fig and plum, with subtle hints of dark berries.

Brewing Process & Uniqueness

Imperial Brown Stout: London 1856 follows the spirit of the original Barclay Perkins recipe, including the use of multiple sugars that were historically common in strong export stouts. The recipe includes Demerara, light muscovado, dark muscovado, molasses and white cane sugar, which contribute depth, smoothness and subtle caramelised complexity.

The malt bill of Maris Otter, amber, brown and black malts creates the beer’s layered roasted profile while maintaining balance and drinkability. While hops are used for structure, their character remains subtle, allowing the malt and dark fruit flavours to dominate.

The result is a powerful yet refined stout that captures both historic authenticity and The Kernel’s modern precision.

Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at: 10–12°C in a tulip or stemmed stout glass.

Perfect with:

• Rich chocolate desserts

• Blue cheese or mature cheddar

• Slow-braised beef dishes

• Sticky toffee pudding

• Dark fruit desserts

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.