Kernel Brewery London 1890 Export Stout

Kernel Brewery London 1890 Export Stout

Style: Stout

Alcohol Content: 7%

From: London Bridge, London, England, UK

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://www.thekernelbrewery.com/

Stout! Stout! Let it all out!! (my personalised version Tears for Fears classic, Shout).

Stout originated in London in the early 1720s. The style quickly became popular in the city: it had a strong flavour, took longer to spoil than other beers, increased in alcohol content with age, was significantly cheaper than other beers, and was not easily affected by heat. London was a very different city back then. As the commercial centre of the world, most of the imports from the empire would enter the city via the London docklands. Thirsty dockyard workers would often refresh themselves with a stout after a hard days work. You can see from the picture below what the docks used to look like compared to sprawling metropolis it is today. The Kernel brewery hope to replicate the type of stout drank during the docklands hayday, by using a recipe written in 1890. Lets see how they got on.

Docklands:  Now and Then

Since the brewery was founded in 2009 by Evin O'Riordain, word has gradually spread of the remarkable beers the 36-year-old Irishman and his colleagues Chrigl Luthy and Toby Munn are making in their tiny brewery tucked away under a railway arch just outside London Bridge. Restaurants such as the Michelin-starred Chez Bruce, Hawksmoor and Pied à Terre now stock his products, and beer bars such as Shoreditch's Mason and Taylor have made The Kernel the beer of choice for the capital's younger beer-lovers.

Colour: Pours a thick black with a dark tan head (certainly the darkest I have ever seen). After awhile, this will dissipate to a light dusting of brown foam that lingers for the duration of this beer.

Aroma: The rich dark malts produce chocolate and coffee aromas mixed with a yeasty marmite/vegemite notes.

Body: This drink looks as looks as thick as oil and has a mouthfeel to match. It will take you a long time to drink this beer as it's so vicious, so enjoy every sip. It took me an hour to drink this stout and I savoured every single drop. Very satisfying! The mild hopping coupled with the high alcohol content ensures that your throat does not get clogged.

Taste: You will get an upfront taste of sticky marmite enriched with bitter dark chocolate and freshly ground coffee. Loads of rich dried fruit and alcohol warmth ­rather like a rum and raisin ice cream.The sweetness of the malts combined well with A mild bitter finish rounds this beer off perfectly. Had I been working in the East India Dock back in 1890, there is no doubt that I would rush to the pub to order one of these. This is the perfect stout. It clearly helps to represent a bygone era of British history and is very true to the original style. Well done Kernel, well done indeed.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/anderson-valley-barney-flats-oatmeal.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/oakham-ales-citra.html

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