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.

Running Porter – The Kernel Brewery
Light. Fresh. Made for Cheese.

🧀 Beer Overview

Running Porter from The Kernel Brewery is a 5% porter brewed in collaboration with Neal’s Yard Dairy, designed specifically to pair with traditional British cheeses. Lighter, fresher and more drinkable than classic porters, it embraces the historic “running beer” style—meant to be enjoyed young and vibrant.

Layered with cocoa, soft roast and subtle fruit, it delivers complexity without heaviness. Balanced and refreshing, this is a dark beer built not just for drinking, but for pairing and sharing.

👉 Cold stored at The Malt Miller to maintain freshness and preserve its delicate balance of flavours.

🌟 What Makes It Special

• Collaboration with Neal’s Yard Dairy
• Designed to pair with British territorial cheeses
• Inspired by traditional “running” beers
• Lighter, fresher and more drinkable than classic porters

🍫 Flavour Profile

Taste: Light cocoa, red berry notes and soft roast, developing into hazelnut and praline
Mouthfeel: Medium-light body, smooth and refreshing
Finish: Clean, dry with gentle roast and tea-like tannins

👃 Aroma

Cocoa and soft roast with cola-like notes, layered with hedgerow fruit from classic British hops.

🔬 Brewing Insight

Running Porter is built for balance, freshness and food pairing:

• Malts: Maris Otter, Brown, Black, Chocolate, Crystal, Flaked Barley
• Hops: East Kent Goldings, Bramling Cross for herbal, fruity character
• Yeast: House ale yeast for a clean, expressive profile

The result is a porter that evolves from fruit to nutty depth, finishing clean and dry.

🧀 Perfect for Cheese

This beer was created to complement traditional British territorial cheeses such as Lancashire, Wensleydale, Cheshire and Caerphilly.

The fresh, lively character of a “running” beer pairs beautifully with the bright, lactic qualities of these cheeses—enhancing both the beer and the food.

Part of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s “Eat Them or Lose Them” initiative, this collaboration celebrates heritage, craftsmanship and the connection between brewing and cheesemaking.

🍽 Serving & Food Pairing

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

Perfect with:

• Lancashire, Cheshire, Wensleydale, Caerphilly
• Roast meats
• Nuts and snacks
• Chocolate desserts
• Charcuterie

📊 Beer Specs

• ABV: 5%
• Style: Porter
• Malts: Maris Otter, Brown, Black, Chocolate, Crystal, Flaked Barley
• Hops: East Kent Goldings, Bramling Cross
• Yeast: House Ale Yeast

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.

All beer from Indie Beer Fridge is individually selected from the finest breweries, we work closely with the breweries to bring you beer and brewing knowledge, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for exclusive content about many of the breweries we select.

All beer is cold stored to ensure you get the best quality beer delivered to you and so you get to enjoy the beer as the brewer intended.

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