The Kernel Brewery
The Kernel Brewery
4.5
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles48 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
4

The Travellers
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
First visit here...and the last. Beer is nice but the customer service and attitude was poor. I could not believe the treatment I received, as I was reprimanded by the bar manager/bartender for not being able to read the (very high) beers list on the board behind their bar (I made the big mistake of asking for a pint of IPA while they apparently only sell smaller sizes 'as it is written on the board'). Then I made the other 'unforgivable' mistake of asking him to recommend me a lager - the laconic answer I received was 'there's only one lager'. He appeared very happy to keep a pompous demeanor and ashame me in front of other customers. I did explain to him it was my first time there. I am not an expert of their beer range. The reply from him was 'every day is a school day'. Once again in front of other customers at the bar. I just kept cool, thanked, paid and left. So rude. A better customer service and attitude (perhaps even a smile) would make a huge difference and go a long way as there are plenty of other good beers out there...
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alex
London, UK1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Solo
I’d been a fan of Kernel for years, phoned them today to ask a question, female member of their team hung up on me part way through my question “OK, bye”. Too many fantastic brewing companies who value their customers out there to spend another cent with this brand. Shocked and really disappointed.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angel57
Essex UK1,934 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Couples
This was to be the first stop on the Bermondsey Beer Mile and my sons had spoken highly of the beer. However, we didn't get to try the beer due to the pretentious attitude of the guy behind the counter who made us turn on our heels and walk away!
Written April 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
Santa Rosa, CA37 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2015 • Friends
It's always a rewarding experience to think you're off the beaten path -- wandering Bermondsey on a warm winter's Saturday afternoon -- and discover yourself surrounded by hundreds of other enthusiasts who've also made their way here just to sample a selection of unique beers. Bit of a struggle to get one (long queue) and to get rid of it after (same). But sometimes working for something makes you appreciate it more.
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve N
Westcliff-on-Sea, UK96 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Friends
I did The Kernel as part of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. It is a great place with a great atmosphere. The beer was of a very high standard, the stout particularly so. Be prepared to queue if you need the toilet!
Written January 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nunhead N
London313 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2011
My old walking pal Dan was in town for the weekend. As he is in the midst of a serious love affair with both food and beer I thought that a visit to the guys at the Kernel Brewery for cold refreshment on our walk from Greenwich to Borough would hit the spot.

The brewery can be found in an old railway arch in an, at least for now, "off the beaten track" area of Bermondsey. It's open to the public from 9 until 3 on Saturday when you can also do a bit of shopping, with neighbouring offerings from the likes of the Monmouth Coffee Company, Neal's Yard Dairy and the St John's Bakery amongst many others. Think of Borough as a proper market, with car parking but without the crowds or the tourists, and you will be near the mark for this little gem of an area.

Anyway, the brewery itself is well worth travelling across town to visit because these guys are turning out some of the finest brews I have ever had the pleasure to drink. I was very impressed to see Kernel being stocked behind the bar at the Hawksmoor, Wright Brothers and Pied a Terre. Check out their website around Thursday to see what they will be selling at the weekend; if there is something special you fancy I would recommend getting here early because the good stuff doesn't last long!!!

As well as buying the normal range of beer and the "limited" edition stuff at a much cheaper price than you will find in the bars that have the honour of stocking it you can also sample the beer on site. There is not much in the way of seating, one picnic table and a concrete ledge for squatting, but this did not seem to be bothering the crowd of about 15 when we rocked up at 2pm.

The Pale Ale Citra had sold out by the time we arrived. However, we soon got over our disappointment and had the Strong Dark Mild, which is a great collaboration with the people at Redemption. Served in a nice "tulip" glass we found ourselves a perch and enjoyed this smooth, dark, easy drinking ale. Just for the hell of it we also shared a very tasty IPA Citra, which was like a grown up "bitter and twisted", before heading off to stock on provisions for the week ahead.

If you are a serious beer lover I would say that a trip to the Kernel Brewery is pretty much essential. If you like Borough Market but are a bit put off by the scrum it can entail I would suggest you give this area a try one Saturday morning....you will not be disappointed.
Written March 11, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melbguy3805
Melbourne, Australia1,324 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Solo
Went to try some of there beers and they were pretty good.
Plenty of different options, so you should find one you like.
Definitely recommend trying this place if you like craft beer.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James K
Birmingham, UK11 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Couples
I love their beer, but unfortunately the kernel is only opened as a bottle shop not a tap room. Boo! The map on trip advisor is also wrong! It is on the same side as brew by numbers just further East.I
Written March 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charles r
London, UK34 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2015
After earlier great experiences walking and drinking along the Beer Mile and stopping off at the various micro breweries, this Saturday we went to the Kernel only to be told that it no longer served drinks to the public. They cited their success and the masses of drinkers as a reason for closing down to the public, which seems an odd approach! I do not know of any places that are so successful that they have to shut down! All one can do now is purchase some bottles to take away. It used to be a great experience...no longer.
Written November 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

zzyzzyx
Brisbane, Australia31 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Friends
They wouldn't open our beer as they said there was no more serving on the premises because "It got too crowded" then they wouldn't open the bottle for us because drinking out of the bottle was not the experience they wanted to create with their beer. It's A BREWERY, ON A SATURDAY, ON THE BEER MILE. Is the ONLY way to consume it is to buy it, take it home, let it rest, pour it into a curved glass, leave the sediment in the bottle, sip delicately?!?! The BEER WAS REALLY GOOD when we drank it out of the bottle on the tube going to the rugby
Written October 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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