The Kernel Brewery London

The Kernel Brewery London: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Innovation

The Kernel Brewery is nestled in the heart of Bermondsey, South London. Founded in 2009 by Evin O’Riordain, they has played a significant role in the capital’s craft beer culture over the past decade.

Origins and Evolution

Evin’s brewing journey began in New York, where a work trip with Neal’s Yard Dairy led to a deep dive into American craft beer. What he found there, a culture of connoisseurship and variety, was unlike anything back home. Inspired, he returned to London and soon opened The Kernel Brewery inside a small railway arch on Druid Street, Bermondsey.

With just a 6.5 hectolitre kit the brewery began producing small batches with a strong focus on quality. Its early beers quickly gained traction in local circles, praised for their freshness, clarity, and flavour.

In 2010, The Kernel moved just down the road to a larger archway on Dockley Road. This allowed the team to increase capacity to 32 hectolitres and install a bottling line. This enabled the brewery to meet demand without sacrificing quality.

A Commitment to Quality

At the core of The Kernel is an uncompromising focus on brewing quality over quantity. Each batch is crafted with precision, and the brewers often take turns selecting hops based on preference or availability. This rotational system means no two pale ales are quite the same — a celebration of variety and craft.

They also collaborate with hop growers such as Yakima Chief and Indie Hops. To create, what is now an annual tradition of creating single-hop showcases or beers built around a particular harvest. The core range includes hop-forward pale ales, table beers, IPAs, robust porters, and historically inspired stouts. The Imperial Brown Stout – London 1856, for example, is a reimagining of a Victorian recipe.

Innovation and Tradition

Although deeply rooted in brewing tradition, The Kernel Brewery embraces innovation where it enhances flavour and character. In 2012, the team introduced a barrel-aging programme. Starting with Burgundy barrels and expanding into foeders, large oak vessels, that allow for mixed-fermentation beers to develop slowly over time.

Their Bière de Saison line demonstrates this philosophy well. Each edition is aged with seasonally appropriate fruit or hops, often varying year to year. Alongside that, their Foeder Beer range offers a more rustic, nuanced expression, blending old techniques with modern ideas.

Community and Culture

Beyond the brewhouse, The Kernel Brewery has helped foster a rich community of producers, importers, and makers in Bermondsey. Initially, they poured beers directly from the production arch on Saturdays, with patrons drinking curbside.

Eventually, the original space became too busy, and the brewery closed its doors to the public for a time. In 2019, the team opened Arch 7, a dedicated taproom that offered a more comfortable and welcoming environment to enjoy their beers and a selection of local produce from neighbouring businesses. 

In August 2024, they continued to evolve by opening a new taproom on Spa Road, providing more space, better accessibility, and a wider rotation of fresh releases on tap.

Legacy and Future

Today, The Kernel produces more than 8,000 hectolitres of beer annually, still guided by a small and passionate team. Despite its steady growth, they has no ambitions to scale beyond its means. Instead, its focus remains on making beer that is purposeful, honest, and rooted in a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship.

From a single arch to a well recognised name in independent brewing, The Kernel represents everything that makes London’s beer scene exciting — independence, community, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Conclusion

The Kernel Brewery has helped redefine what beer can be in London — not by following trends, but by trusting its process. Blending innovation with history, their beers resonate with longtime enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. Whether visiting the Spa Road taproom or opening a bottle at home, drinkers connect with the brewery’s commitment to integrity and taste.

To explore the latest beers or stay updated on events, visit @thekernelbrewery on Instagram