The Kernel Brewery A London Porter

A London Porter

 

The Kernel Brewery in Bermondsey, Greater London, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  Porter Series
Score
7.65
ABV: 5.0% IBU: - Ticks: 33
Originally brewed in 2010 as 'London Porter'.

Re-brewed in 2024 with the addition of the letter 'A' in front of the name.

Malt – Maris Otter, Brown, Black, Amber, Crystal
Hops – East Kent Goldings
Yeast – House Ale Yeast

Based on a recipe from Whitbread’s Brewery, dated 1896, that we gleaned from ‘Old British Beers and How to Make Them’. The archives just have this down as ‘Porter’, nothing more.

We call it A London Porter to differentiate it from its sibling, the racier Export India Porter, where export levels of hops give a fruitier, more flighty beer. In a London Porter things are warm and dark and rich. The feel and texture are nourishing. Dried fruit - raisins, prunes and dates - and chocolate. Then a balanced espresso finish. Hints of leather, tar, tobacco. Lots of coffee and cocoa.

The recipe itself is typical of London, in its use of a large proportion of brown malt, which gives the beer a hint of spice along with some smoke, leather and tar in the flavour, and a dry finish. Also a portion of black malt was added to the boil, which apparently was something only done in London, which increased the roast/coffee character. East Kent Goldings were the hops of choice for the best beers at that time.

We brewed the first version of this beer in Feb 2010 (it was our 10th batch of beer).
 

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7.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle from Systembolaget. Rich classic London porter aroma. Coffee notes. Lasting cofffe foam. Complex profile that suits the style.

Tried from Bottle from Systembolaget Östersund - Lillänge on 03 Jul 2025 at 18:40


8

Malm� February tasting - roasted sweet malty with notes of chocolate, dark caramel, nice solid hoppy backing coming through, singed brown sugar, dark roasted malty and hoppy finish. Packs in so much for the abv.

Tried from Bottle on 26 Mar 2025 at 06:07


8.8
Appearance - 9 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 8.5

Black with a tan head. Big notes of dry cocoa powder, roasted malt, burnt malt, a bit of ash, earthy hops. Good bitter notes, without being too heavy handed, that come from the malt and hops. Medium bodied. Finish has a dry, bitter burnt note. This is an absolute banger.

Tried from Bottle on 19 Mar 2025 at 16:26


8.6
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9

Flaska. Rejält torr porter med inslag av starkt mörkrostat kaffe, tjära och en gnutta choklad. Tjock munkänsla.

Tried on 14 Mar 2025 at 17:26


7.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Thanks omhper! Black colour, mediumsized brown head. Aroma is chocolaty and nutty with some mild fruity and floral tones. Flavour is wooden, floral, some chocolaty and mild nutty tones too. Smooth and nice!

Tried from Bottle on 07 Mar 2025 at 16:43


8.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9

En fantastisk porter. Kan inte tänka på något jag skulle vilja ändra. Perfekt balans, stora generösa smaker, åt det större lite kärvare hållet men inte svårdrucken. Perfekt

Tried on 28 Feb 2025 at 19:20


8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle. Beer Stop Dronfield. Nearly black. Predictably fine swede. Nose is super ashy and earthy. Coffee grinds and a bit of cake mix fruit. Taste is dry ashy and earthy. Touch of chocolate malt sweetness. Earthy ashy finish.

Tried from Bottle at The Beer Stop on 24 Feb 2025 at 20:35


7.6
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle from Systembolaget beställningssortiment. Black with a medium tan head. Roasted malt, chocolate, ash, coffee and some nuts. Bitter finish. A pleasant one.

Tried from Bottle from Systembolaget Beställningssortiment on 22 Feb 2025 at 12:41


8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottled, from Systembolaget. Black, mid sized beige head. Ashy chocolate aroma with licorice and prunes. Mid sweet with medium body and well rounded mouthfeel. Tobacco and fudgem leafs and licorice. Long bitter finish.

Tried from Bottle on 21 Feb 2025 at 22:40


7.6
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

Almost black, medium beige head. Aroma of chocolate, licorice and tar. Taste of chocolate, dried fruit and some coffee.

Tried on 21 Feb 2025 at 20:29