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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best |  | 3 |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | | 4 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 2 |
| Brass Castle - Bright | | 1 |
| Bexley - Redhouse | | 2 |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | | 2 |
| Vocation - Across the Pond | | 1 |
| Oakham - White Dwarf | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Birchwood Bitter | | 1 |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | | 1 |
| Ossett - Trip Hop #4 |  | 1 |
| Redemption - Hopspur | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two Flints - Santiago | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Indie Rabble - Sensible Beer Name | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Brock Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - XPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burnt Mill - Pintle Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dorking - Stanza XPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Redemption - Trinity | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Sanctum Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Redemption - American Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Paper Room | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
12 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with a good few of the hardened on parade for the last half an hour of serving. No musical notes heard again from the Tuesday fiddlers but a few spotted on their exit through the front room of this micro.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexley - Redhouse | 4.20 | | Either its first or second day on and presenting good head and lacing but not lasting as well as it could on this Erith-brewed ruby bitter from the neighbouring Bexley borough. A very malty first hit with hints of biscuit and caramelised toffee. A dry hoppy bitterness rising from its English Goldings behind its earthy, floral-honey and spicy notes, and Challenger hops behind its citrus-marmalade and cedar woodiness flavours. A prevailing maltiness winning over from its Crystal malts but not overly so. A dry bitterness paddling out. Served in good form but not full of conditioning on the mouthfeel. |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Fourth night on and still presenting good head and lacing but not quite lasting on this Cambridgeshire cask aged coffee porter from Peterborough. A dry hoppy first bite from its mix of Amarillo from the USA alongside British Challenger, Goldings and Jester. Its Maris Otter, Brown and Black malts greatly contributing to that malty mouthfeel with a smokiness rising. Oakham Brewery’s collaboration with a local artisan coffee roastery ensuring in this brew that ground roasted coffee flavours are winning over. A spicy hoppiness sailing out. Presented in good form but not as much conditioning as when tried on Sunday and not holding its lacing. |
| Five Points - XPA | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Burnt Mill - Pintle Pale Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Dorking - Stanza XPA | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Across the Pond | 4.70 | Not Tried |
12 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexley - Redhouse | 4.20 | | Good condition but too malty for my liking |
| Vocation - Across the Pond | 4.70 | | Good head and lacing but same old citrus pale |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Flavour still there but tired in condition |
| Five Points - XPA | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Burnt Mill - Pintle Pale Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Dorking - Stanza XPA | 3.80 | Not Tried |
10 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening until close. Lots of disagreements about the efficacy of AI.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | Seems like a changed recipe to me |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Coffee dominated flavouring |
| Ossett - Trip Hop #4 | 4.00 | | Basic hopping, not much natural carbonation. |
| Redemption - Hopspur | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | 6.00 | Not Tried |
10 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A good table or two of the hardened regulars for the last half an hour of serving among the otherwise odd lesser spotted also on parade.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Third day on and still presenting good head and lacing and lasting on this Peterborough-brewed golden ale from Cambridgeshire, and originally set up in Oakham, Rutland, in 1993 before moving to Peterborough in 1998. A dry hoppy first hit. A dry zesty fruited hoppiness rising but not overly citrusy in the least for my taste buds. UK-sourced Pioneer, Goldings and Challenger hops are here doing battle with the more citrusy fruited Cascade from the USA. A mildly sweetened fruitiness prevailing aided by its Maris Otter and Wheat malts. A dry hoppy note or two floating out. Still very moreish and served still in good condition. |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on and exhibiting a good head and lacing and lasting the whole way on this West Yorkshire-brewed dry hopped pale from about 3 miles from the centre of Hebden Bridge, with Halifax approximately 9 miles east. A very fruited first hit. Its US hops, notably Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe, were coming at my taste buds with piney, peachy hints and mixed with the odd mission from a lychee and citrusy fruit. Its British malts, including Extra Pale lending it a bready flavouring, doing their best to quell the US hoppy infusions. It was too fruited for me and so one sufficed but presented on its augural day in fine form. |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Third day on and still very good head and lacing on show on this Peterborough-based brewery’s collaboration with Two Chimps Coffee, an award-winning artisan roastery based in the brewery's namesake town of Oakham. A malty first hit. A dry bitterness rising with a fruity and spicy touch aided but its mix of Amarillo from the USA alongside British Challenger, Goldings and Jester. A malty note prevailing and winning over from its Maris Otter, Brown and Black malts. Freshly ground roasted coffee flavours tantalising my taste buds with a malty bitterness sailing out. Served in good condition still on its third day on. |
| Redemption - Hopspur | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - Trip Hop #4 | 4.00 | Not Tried |
07 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Some loss of edge since yesterday's |
| Redemption - Hopspur | 4.50 | | Malty bitter. Not much condition |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Indie Rabble - Sensible Beer Name | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Brock Mild | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brass Castle - Bright | 4.30 | Not Tried |
06 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Not advertised but word of mouth said it was newly on. Not my favourite Goacher's Ale but liked it this time |
| Brass Castle - Bright | 4.30 | | Rather thin for its ABV and virtually no head or lacing |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | Not Tried | Warned off for being flat |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried |
03 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Loud music encouraged shouty conversation.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Good but virtually no head or lacing |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | | Tired, little condition |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Paper Room | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | 4.00 | Not Tried |
03 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with two tables of the lesser spotted no less among the usual suspects for the last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Second night on for this Hackney-brewed best bitter and still exhibiting head and lacing and lasting. A dry bitter first hit. A fruited hoppiness rising from its Fuggles hops sourced from Hukins Hops in Kent, lending for me an earthy, herbal and grassy flavouring. A dry maltiness winning over from its Maris Otter lending a bready touch. Its Crystal malt aiding its caramelised toffee infusions and its Amber malt a dry biscuity hint. This is all pitched against recently added hops to the recipe as in Ernest and Challenger giving rise to a fruit-salad flavouring. A dry hoppy fruitiness paddling out. Slightly thin on the taste buds with a loss of conditioning from just the evening before but still holding its head and lacing. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Paper Room | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | 4.00 | Not Tried |
02 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with a contingent of Saturday regulars, the hardened and the lesser spotted for the last hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | First night on for this Hackney-brewed best bitter from its East London brewery set up in 2013 and tapped shortly before my arrival and so exhibiting good head and lacing and lasting as you would expect. A bitter, sweet first hit. A dry hoppiness rising from its Fuggles sourced from Hukins Hops in Kent, lending it earthy, herbal and grassy notes. Its hoppy sweetness derived from its Ernest hops, behind its apricot and nectarine, mango and passionfruit and citrus peel, grapefruit and orange zest hints. Its Challenger hops behind its fruit-salad flavours of lemony marmalade, banana and berries to my taste buddies. A gentle malty note joining in from its Maris Otter aiding its bready flavours, Crystal malt behind its caramelised toffee infusions and Amber malt presenting a dry biscuity touch. A dry hoppy bitterness descending without my taste buds’ protest in the least as served in top condition but perhaps just a tad too fresh. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | 4.00 | Not Tried |
30 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with many a regular on parade among some of the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second night on for this Hampshire extra special bitter from Eastleigh, some 5–6 miles north of Southampton, and named after Ralph Dutton, the Chairman of the London and South Western Railway Company who moved his railway works to Eastleigh in 1891. Presenting a very foamy head and lacing and lasting well. A malty first hit from its Maris Otter mixed with Crystal, Chocolate and Wheat malts. A gentle bitterness rising from its earthy Goldings with dark fruits evident, and mixed with UK Jester hops lending a citrusy edge. Its maltiness prevailing on the sail out. It was like a soup in its consistency and not really at all quaffable and so a half sufficed, as I was lucky to be able to decant from this pint glass into my now empty Birchwood Bitter glass before donating the rest of it. |
| Mighty Oak - Birchwood Bitter | 3.90 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on was this Essex bitter from Maldon and so very good head and lacing and sticking all the way. A very dry bitter first bite aided by its UK Targett hops. A fruited maltiness rising with hints of sage and pepper in on the act. Its Maris Otter malt behind its biscuity flavours, Crystal malt behind its hint of sweetness and Caramalt behind its caramel touches. A slightly fruity citrusy kick detected. A hoppy bitterness paddling out. Presented in good form on its first night on but perhaps just a tad too fresh and somewhat too sweet for my preferences. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Sanctum Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
 | 756 |
| 2096 |
| 673 |
 | 58 |
The pub is found in East Greenwich, Greater London, SE10 0RJ.
Micropub in Woolwich Road in a former street corner lingerie and hosiery business premises and which opened on 13th September 2017. Comprises a front room with bar counter and with real ales and ciders served on gravity dispense from a temperature controlled cellar room behind the bar, and a rear room down one step. Each day a pre-prepared paper ale menu sheet, with tasting notes, is provided to every table. Bare-board flooring throughout and all seating at wall mounted high settles and hand made wooden high tables. CAMRA card holders' discount on pints and halves of real ale and cider. Card payments accepted. SPBW London Pub of the Year 2019. Local CAMRA branch 2019, 2022 and 2024 Pub of the Year and its Cider Pub of the Year too in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. CAMRA Greenwich District Pub of the Year 2024.
We have visited this pub 1663 times, seen 1988 different beers and tried 1169 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ