Birthday Parties & Collabs
Hello and thank you for joining us for our latest newsletter.
Did you know our Spa Road Venue has been open for a year!?
Because it certainly shocked a few of us!
With our thoughts turned to the 1 year anniversary of the Spa Road Venue, we wanted to focus less on the beer this month, and instead take the time to shine a spotlight on the team that have hosted so many of you, that have grown from strength to strength throughout every iteration of our taproom, and have created a truly special place that we are all incredibly proud of.
We could wax lyrical about Spa Road and its team all day, but who better to talk about this journey than someone who has been integral to the management and growth of Arch 7 and Spa Road; Becky.
“One whole year of Spa Road and what a mad little journey it’s been!
But before I talk about the newest Kernel taproom (V3 if you will), I can’t not mention how much we loved our previous iteration in Arch7, and pay homage to the original Arch 11 Saturday set up.
Arch 11 (the actual brewery warehouse) was my first real introduction to Kernel in 2012. I came to London to visit my mum who told me about this really cool new brewery we had to visit. The only caveat was that it was only open from 9am to 2pm which seemed a bit unusual… But alas; we arrived early, drank some beautiful beers amongst the mountains of kegs and I loved it.
I joined Kernel in 2019 as part of the opening Arch 7 team. Evin and Mauritz had done such an incredible job of transforming the railway arch into a calm and welcoming venue which somehow felt like more than its humble setting (unless you count the trains passing overhead every 5-10 minutes, but I promise you get used to them!). We loved how connected we were to the brewery - you could literally see the barrel room through the fire exit. The brewers could come in mid brew/transfer/tank clean for a breather, catch up or, little tasting to evaluate their most recent creation. Whilst we were closed for a lot of 2020, Mauritz built a strong team and despite each new government restriction, Arch 7 continued to build a wonderful community.
However, we always knew our lease was limited there, and we were excited to open a bigger, permanent space just across the road. It had false starts, but the promise of a kitchen, more taps, heating & aircon(!!!) and no worries of a future Network Rail inspection kept us going.
Bringing life to a very concrete space was pretty intimidating to begin with. Luckily we had the skills and wisdom of our favourite local contractor Mario (who has probably built at least 50% of the businesses in the Bermondsey train arches at this point) and Fleet Architects (who actually have their own pub, The Shakespeare in Margate!). Evin had a clear vision of what he wanted to bring to the place and I had a strong idea of what I did not. We didn’t always agree but through it we managed to build a place we are all incredibly proud of.
Now we’ve been open for a year, I can’t believe how long it’s been whilst also feeling like last week.
The community we had has done nothing but grow and includes so many more locals. I still can’t believe how many people who live in the area pop in and tell us they had no idea Arch7 was even there! We also have a fantastic food offering. We were approached by the wonderful Yagi Izakaya to take up residency in our kitchen in October (I wish I could take the credit in finding them but I simply cannot). Their Japanese comfort food is next level and the prawn toast is legendary at this point. Spa Road no longer feels like just a brewery taproom but a fun and welcome space for any occasion: post work drinks, family lunch, big birthdays or a first date. In other words, a proper community space on par with any local pub.
None of it would have been possible without the incredible team we have. No matter what’s asked and how the job has changed they’ve been so hard working and positive. We are so incredibly lucky to work with people who care as much as we do and are also so fun to work with.
We always knew Spa Road would remain somewhat a work in progress when we opened the doors last year.There are always going to be improvements and changes along the way (to Arch7 regulars - we are still working out how to get loud train noises to play periodically in the bathrooms). This weekend we’ll be celebrating the first of many birthdays, revelling in this amazing taproom we are all so proud to have and work in."
- Becky Ross.
What's Happening This Month:
Spa Road Turns 1!
On Thursday 7th August we will be pouring our 15 month Irish Whiskey barrel aged stout from 2024 and the last keg of the @offcolorbrewing collaboration Biere de Saison from 2017, as we toast a fantastic team and celebrate our Spa Road Venue turning 1.
Stigbergets Collab
Okay, this is scheduled for release at the beginning of September. So think of this as a Newsletter exclusive, and a reward for scrolling so far down!
A few months ago our brewer Jess went over to Gothenburg to help brew a Victorian Porter that was almost exclusively available in Sweden. To continue this collaboration, we have some of the brew team coming over to help us brew a special IPA. Keep your eyes on our Socials for the Tap Take Over.
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Our Spa Road venue has 25 draught lines, 2 cask lines and an array of wines and soft drinks.
📍 132 Spa Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3AE