A London Porter
The Kernel Brewery in London, Greater London, England 🏴
Porter Series|
Score
7.57
|
|
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).
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).
Sign up to add a tick or review
8.9/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 9
Texture 9
Overall 9
Bottle at home, 18th January 24. Remarkable that I’ve not had this before. Pours a black beer, nice tan frothy head. Aroma is roasted malts, cocoa and chocolate. Taste is dry, cocoa, roasted malts, bitter, smooth and very drinkable
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Jan 2025
at 20:48
9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
500ml bottle. Pitch black with a dense beige head. Aroma of roast malts, dark chocolate, coffee. Taste has lots of dark chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, a little leather, slightly smokey/ashy, hint of dark fruit, bitter. Medium bodied and incredibly smooth. An exceptional porter, ideal example of the style and among the best I've had.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 Dec 2024
at 02:28
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
500ml bottle from The Beer Shop, St Albans. It pours jet black with a sturdy tan head. The aroma is rich dark roast, burnt toast, premium dark chocolate, cacao nibs, nutty, praline, espresso, touch of umami and liquorice. The taste is firmly dry, robust roasted malt, bitter, dark roast, burnt toast, charred vibes, umami, liquorice, cacao nibs, 90% dark chocolate, peppery spice, hint of pipe tobacco, puff of smoke and toasted fruit cake with a toothy, dark roast fish. Moderate+ body and moderate, fluffy carbonation. Rich, robust and satisfyingly savoury.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 Dec 2024
at 17:45
7.4/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Black beer, thick tan head. Looks the business. Aroma is just straight-up maltiness.Flavour is straightforward but hits the mark. Rich, toasty malt with elements of burnt caramel and a little chocolate. A little smoked with a touch of peppery spice. Lasting dry, toasty finish. A textbook porter which hasn't been mucked about with and it's super drinkable.
Tried
on 22 Nov 2024
at 20:36
8.5/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8
Bottle from Against The Grain. Block body with a thick beige head. Good lacing. Aroma of ash, dark chocolate and espresso. Flavour of roasted malt, liquorice, coffee and blueberry. Medium body with a smooth texture. Soft fizz. A rich and flavoursome porter that punches above its 5.0% ABV.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Nov 2024
at 22:33
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Keg at Mother Arch iii, 01/11/24. Black with a tan cap that retains well. Nose is chocolate dipped raisins, earthy roast, dried fruit rinds, charr, dates. Taste comprises cocoa powder, toffee, chocolate biscuit, raisins, fruit cake mix, light ashen tones, roasted bite. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, drying close. Solid cask porter ... 3.8 had it again the following night at the Chesham Arms ... 4.0 so entered as a 3.9.
Tried
from Cask
on 09 Nov 2024
at 20:37
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
(Bottle, purchased at the brewery outlet) Very dark brown colour, almost black. Huge, creamy, beige head, leaving traces of lacing. Malty, roasted nose with notes of chocolate, cocoa, blueberries and creamy coffee. Malty, roasted taste with chocolate, cocoa, dark bread and smooth, creamy coffee coming through towards the end. Gentle coffee bitterness. Medium body, mainly dry. Soft and smooth mouthfeel. Very nice and well balanced porter.
Tried
from Bottle
on 06 Jun 2011
at 13:16
7.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Cask at Pigs Ear fest 2010. It was called ’A London Porter’. A dark brown/black coloured pour with a smallish beige head. Malty, coffee aroma. Tastes malty, coffee, dark fruit, roasty, slight bitterness. Very good quality porter from the ever improving Kernel.
Tried
from Cask
on 13 Mar 2011
at 13:03
7.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
Bottle at home. Red-brown pour with a light, bubbly head. Cocoa malts and light, brown sugar on the nose. Light to medium sweet, bit of dark malts, mild mocha, some slight sourness. Light bodied with fine carbonation. Dark, mineral malts to finish, some muddy roast, light sugars. Pretty nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 28 Feb 2011
at 14:31
7.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Bottle. Pours a dark brown almost black color with a small tan head. Has a roasted malty chocolate and dark fruit aroma. Roasted malty and slighlty smokey chocolate and dark fruit flavor. Has a roasted malty chocolate and licorice finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 Feb 2011
at 01:31