title: Accessing .env environment variables in the middleware kernel constructor
body: <p>It seems that in the <code>Middleware Kernel constructor()</code> eventhough I have access to the <code>env('')</code> helper all my variables set in the .env file are returning null.</p>
  
  <p>Why is this happening?</p>
  
  <p>I actually wanted to set a config in my .env that the middleware reads so as to facilitate local development behaviors.</p>
  
  <p>This is what I'm doing in my Http\Kernel</p>
  
  <pre><code>public function __construct(Application $app, Router $router)
  {
      if (env('check_env_key', false)) {
  
      }
      parent::__construct($app, $router);
  }
  </code></pre>