Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter vs The Kernel London Porter: Which Should You Drink?

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Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter

Central Waters Brewing Company

United States · Porter

hopIQ rank #501

81%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

The Kernel London Porter

The Kernel Brewery

United Kingdom · Porter

HOPIQ TAKE

Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter if you want a porter that drinks like a comfortable sweater, The Kernel London Porter if you want one with more architectural precision. Both are built at nearly identical specs—5.7-5.8% ABV, 33 IBUs—so the real difference is in how each brewery interprets the style. Central Waters leans into approachability; The Kernel leans into craft clarity. Pick based on whether you're in the mood for something that feels lived-in or something that tastes intentional.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter when…

→You've had a rough day and need something that doesn't ask questions
→You're ordering a second or third round and want something reliable
→You prefer porters that taste like comfort rather than craft

Pick The Kernel London Porter when…

→You want to taste the brewer's specific decisions and technique
→You're comparing styles or taking notes on porters
→You prefer darker beers with more mineral complexity

SIDE BY SIDE

	Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter	The Kernel London Porter
ABV	5.7%	5.8%
Bitterness	Noticeably bitter	Noticeably bitter
Colour	Dark	Dark
Style	Porter	Porter
Origin	United States	United Kingdom

WHAT IT TASTES OF

9 shared · 4 distinct

Both beers

roastedchocolatedark fruitdrycoffeemaltyrichearthybitter

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Central Waters Mudpuppy PorterThe Kernel London Porter

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter

RoastedChocolateDry

Mudpuppy hits you with genuine cocoa and a faint earthiness that doesn't announce itself—it just sits there, understated. The body is rounder than you'd expect from a sub-6% porter, almost creamy in the middle. There's no sharp edge; the 33 IBUs sit in the background like a bass line you feel more than hear. Finishes clean but leaves a soft chocolate residue. This is the kind of porter you can drink three of without thinking about it.

The Kernel London Porter

ChocolateDark fruitRich

The Kernel's take is leaner and more defined. You get darker chocolate and a hint of black licorice, but the texture is tighter—more restrained mineral character underneath. The bitterness registers with more presence than Mudpuppy's, even though the numbers are identical; it's about placement and how they've structured the malt base. Finishes drier, with a slight astringent pull that keeps you honest. This one demands a little attention.

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