PubsandBeer
History: Home > The River Ale House
The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Anspach & Hobday - Hop Pickers' Harvest |  | 1 |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout |  | 2 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) |  | 2 |
| Five Points - Best | | 4 |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | | 2 |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | | 3 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA |  | 2 |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | | 1 |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | | 5 |
| Park - Saw Pit | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On |  | 1 |
| Five Points - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - Amelia | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
13 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a handful of regulars, a few fiddlers playing in the rear and the odd occasional in on the scene and for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Its third night on for this East London best bitter from Hackney and still presenting a head and lacing and lasting. I asked after its welfare and the barmaid kindly checked on its remaining lifespan and assured me there were still a good few pints to go. As each pint is poured, a clicker device to count what is remaining in each barrel is activated. A very bitter first hit but not quite as fruited as on Sunday when first on. A gentle touch of grassy, herbal flavouring competing with its maltiness rising with hints of biscuit and caramel. A dry bitterness sailing out with a hoppy note from its Kent Fuggles prevailing. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
12 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Never my favourite Goacher's - it always lacks an oomph factor. This was a new cask on and a bit fresh still |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Still drinking well |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
11 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Usual Sunday regulars in among a few of the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Fresh on today is this East London best bitter brewed with all-British ingredients in Hackney. It appeared on after last orders the night before. So suitably second-fermented in its barrel since then and presenting very good head and lacing and sticking to the glass like a limpet. A dry bitter but slightly fruited first hit with a grassy, herbal flavouring. Its fruited bitterness rising with hints of biscuit and caramel from its mix of malts including Amber Malt and Crystal Medium/Light Crystal. A moreishly hoppy bitterness winning over from its Kent Fuggles hops from the award-winning Hukins Hops farm in Kent. Very moreish and so stuck to it! |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
11 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Great clarity |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | An always reliable Five Points ale |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | | Not over chillied but near the mark |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
The earliest time I have visited in a good while, shortly after 9.30pm, and quiet footfall during a very late home-game at Charlton FC on a Saturday. Kick-off was as late as 8pm. It was not good for Charlton in the Championship League playing against Chelsea in the Premiership with a 5-1 loss sustained in the FA Cup 3rd Round. I managed to beat those interested fans' return to this modest micro from my outing to Sevenoaks.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Fresh on was this Maidstone-brewed pale amber bitter with very good head and lacing and lasting. A fruited first hit. A bitterness rising assisted by its WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety) and East Kent Golding hops. A good helping of fruitiness seeing this bitter out but with a malty aftertaste prevailing. It was first introduced as "Maidstone Light" in 1984 and a year after Goacher's Brewery was set up. |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | | Fresh on by all accounts and very good head and lacing presented and lasting on this Yorkshire-brewed pale from Osset, a market town to the east of the cathedral city of Wakefield. It was released as a seasonal autumn beer and the final instalment in the series*. A very fruited first hit. A touch of bitterness rising from its primary hop, Barbe Rouge, a French variety known for its floral and sweet flavours. A fruitiness winning over with hints of strawberry, raspberry and a light floral touch. Its bitterness sailing out aided by hints of citrus-like orange and lime zest. *Other beers in the series have featured hops from the USA, the UK and New Zealand. |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | | Fresh on and attracted to a good stout I am and with its head and lacing evident and lasting on this Bermondsey-brew. I omitted to read its write-up also on the blackboard containing sea salt and chilli. Had a sample first and it passed my taste buds' scrutiny. A half only ordered and only a half of a half did my so-called discerning taste buds then allow me after that. I sacked my taste buds on the spot but they kept telling me they were right to get me to buy a half in the first place. Of course, there was more to taste as a result. I then came to the decision it was not at all for me and it is not like me to leave even a half of a half. Not quaffable for me in the least! It was dominated by the chillies giving it a certain fruitiness according to the tasting notes. It also contained cacao nibs, lending flavours of chocolate but the chillies wiped that out for me. For those who like to detect their hops, Bramling Cross and Summit were involved but for me not a single hoppy note could I detect above the chillies. I recall this being on before but many months ago and so giving it a wide berth after no doubt also trying just a half. Thankfully, this has been only its first return for me! I will not be trying this again if I can help it! Simply not my cup of tea! |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | It ran out within about 20 minutes of getting here and even before the Charlton FC fans' return from the Valley home ground match. |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | Did not used to be as hazy-looking from my observations of what others were faced with. |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jan 2026 (Colin Lacey)
Fairly busy with some faces I recognised. Joined in with Rick, Alice & Chris. Nice people have spoken to Rick before who warned me about the try before you buy policy in here. Chris & Rik said no other beer worth drinking than the "Green Devil" and took their word for it.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | This was fresh and very pleasant, was told that they usually have the cask aged version, which due to poor house keeping is dead by the next day. Hopefully this should still be good for my visit tomorrow. |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | | Can't see the point in this brewery. I mat be missing something, but this was bland, lifeless and not pleasant. Only sampled. |
| Anspach & Hobday - Hop Pickers' Harvest | 4.00 | | Supposed to be fresh on today, small head, glazed and lifeless. What is going on with this place. "Bishops Farewell" was new on yesterday and has gone. Locals obviously know what to drink. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Had a sample in case it was another firkin. But NO, still the same rubbish that was served yesterday. |
08 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for regulars and the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | Fresh on is this Peterborough-brewed premium golden ale and very good head and lacing on display and lasting. A fruity first bite. A dry fruitiness rising from its USA-sourced Cascade which was pioneering in British brewing at the time of this ale being first launched, lending it citrus and floral flavours, and mellowed by its English Challenger hops. A fruitiness evidenced by hints of grapefruit, peach and oranges and even mango and pineapple in on the act. A biscuity bitterness bobbing up before the final downwards journey. First brewed in 1996 to commemorate William John "Bishop Bill" Westwood on his retirement as Bishop of Peterborough. |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | Third night on for this Bermondsey-brewed bitter and still exhibiting a good head and lacing and lasting. A lightly fruited bitter first hit. A hoppy bitterness bounding up aided by its East Kent Goldings for bittering and US Chinook for aroma. A biscuity and caramel infusion hurtling onto the taste buds. A somewhat sour fruitiness lingering on from its mix of pine and spice flavours and dark fruits. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Fifth night on and still presenting good head and lacing but a few decants necessary in defence of its longevity! This Kingston stout presented a dry malty first hit and aided by a mix of Phoenix, Northdown and Magnum hops. Named after a short story* by philosopher, Bertrand Russell, is this brew in its honour. A fruity knight and a malty knight going to battle to rise. The victor for my taste buds was the dry malty knight hanging on before sliding downwards! There was the dark chocolate and coffee notes to back up my taste buds' reasoning! *The story involves a manipulative individual who sets up an office in a quiet suburb and begins sowing chaos among the residents by playing on their secret desires and psychological weaknesses. In the animated series, South Park, the character, Satan, frequently appears, so giving this ale extra fame from its name, and including in the recent 2025 storylines and involving a satirical relationship with Donald Trump. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
08 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | New cask on today. I can't differentiate between many of the Oakham pale ales anymore. So samey |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | 5th day on and tired and flat in glass |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
07 Jan 2026 (Colin Lacey)
Place was empty. Eight people was the maximum count. A regular couple warned me about the condition of the beer as I approached the bar. They were not wrong. Old, Flat, Lifeless. Tried, as I was told to do this last visit, three different casks. Nothing worth purchasing and if I had, would not have been able to return it.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | Overheard that Bishops Farewell was not shown, but available, being Fresh I went for a pint. Again this was not Fresh but came up flat and tired. At least I managed a pint. Had high hopes for this venue. But seems to have gone downhill rapidly. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Not a lover of Park Brewery but this was yet another beer that had obviously been hanging around for a while. Very disappointing. Only sampled. |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | Came up clear, but was again, flat and lifeless. Only sampled. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | | Certainly did get a Face On. This was tired, Flat and had a strange hue. Not pleasant. Only sampled. |
06 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busier for the last half an hour of serving than for weeks on a Tuesday with a more complete contingent of fiddlers back from their Christmas holidays and a good few regulars on parade among the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | My first beer of this visit: Fresh on and a very good head and lacing lasting even when the glass had been emptied! This Essex golden ale from Maldon punched a very hoppy first hit. A fruity bitterness rising with hints of mango, lemon and elderflower. A maltiness winning over and so quelling much of its fruitiness. Very moreish! |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | My second beer of this visit: Fresh on and recommended this by a fellow regular. An unexpectedly fruity first kick from this Bermondsey-brewed bitter. A hoppy bitterness climbing up with its US Chinook hops lending it hints of pine. A touch of biscuity caramel in on its malty notes. A spicy hit among the dark fruits in this concoction and all aided by many a subsequent fruity kick any footballer would be proud of! Slightly too fruited for my taste buds! |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | My third beer of this visit: Third night on for this Kingston-brewed stout and not as creamy as when first presented on Sunday. Its head needed it all having a gentle decant to reawaken it. Still that very smoky first hit with spicy notes. A dry bitterness rising from among its hints of dark chocolate and coffee. A slightly hoppy dryness lingering from its Phoenix hops. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 728 |
| 1942 |
| 612 |
| 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 1541 times, seen 1908 different beers and tried 1126 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ