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.

India Double Porter: Columbus Chinook – The Kernel Brewery

Bold. Hoppy. Indulgently Dark.

Beer Overview

India Double Porter: Columbus Chinook from The Kernel Brewery is a powerful evolution of their historic Export India Porter. Inspired by the way Double IPAs build upon IPAs, this beer amplifies both the strength and the hop character of the original recipe.

Rich, dark and intensely flavoured, the beer blends classic London porter malt depth with the bold character of modern American hops. The result is a beer that feels indulgent yet balanced—full-bodied and smooth with layers of chocolate, fruit and bright hop bitterness.

Flavour Profile

Taste: Dark chocolate, cocoa and roasted malt with citrus, floral and subtle fruit notes from Columbus and Chinook hops.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, smooth and creamy.
Finish: Long, persistent bitterness with roasted coffee and toasted malt character.

Aroma

Complex aromas of cocoa, rose-like florals and bright citrus peel emerge from the glass, with hints of orange and lime alongside roasted malt.

Brewing Process & Uniqueness

The Kernel’s Export India Porter was originally based on a historic Barclay Perkins recipe from 1855, but brewed using a modern hop-forward approach similar to their IPAs. Late hop additions and dry hopping bring bright flavour and aroma to the dark malt base.

For India Double Porter, the brewery simply increases the intensity: more malt, more hops and more alcohol. This creates a fuller, richer beer with greater hop expression while maintaining the balance of the original.

The malt bill of Maris Otter, brown, black, crystal and chocolate malts builds deep roasted complexity, while Columbus and Chinook hops provide bold bitterness and citrus brightness. Light carbonation lifts the beer slightly, cutting through the richness and allowing the flavours to unfold gradually.

Serving & Food Pairing

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

Perfect with:

• Smoked brisket or BBQ dishes

• Rich stews or braised meats

• Mature cheddar or blue cheese

• Dark 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 and actual product may differ. Glassware not included if shown in image.