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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Elusive - Shapeshifter (collaboration with North Riding Brewery) |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale |  | 1 |
| Kent - Old Skool |  | 6 |
| Kent - Prohibition | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur Union | | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | | 1 |
| Two by Two - Porter | | 4 |
| Vocation - Pride & Joy | | 1 |
| Kent - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - The Quiet American | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Krush | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Jester XPA (collaboration with Five Points) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | Not Tried | 0 |
| Steam Town - Shiny | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Coppice | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
11 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with the hardened on parade among the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | 1st beer of this visit: For being its sixth day, this dark amber-coloured Kentish bitter from Birling, north of West Malling, now presented still very good head and lacing which bares testimony to its robustness in its enduring longevity. Still that dry hoppy first bite. A hoppy bitterness giving way to a toffee-caramel sweetness emerging with the likes of Maris Otter alongside Crystal malt. Its mix of local Kentish hops such as Goldings, Fuggles and Challenger lending a dry herbal bitterness. Touches of a lightly fruited hoppiness with hints of dark autumn fruits, plum and fig, doing battle with spicy orange and sharp marmalade notes. Remarkably robust for being so long on although now without much of its conditioning. |
| Two by Two - Porter | 5.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Now either its third or fourth night on and only momentary head and lacing before legging it out of the glass on this Newcastle porter. A chocolatey maltiness in its first hit. Its Maris Otter base malt, cocoa, chocolate, espresso and black malts giving rise to a smoky, roasted, malty biscuity dryness. Hints of cedar, mint, cream and vanilla from its American hop, Sabro, winning over. A hedgerow and red berry dry bitterness lingering with its fruity notes emerging from its UK East Kent Goldings hops. Again, not full of flavour as was noted on Tuesday’s sampling for my taste buds. Remaining thin-tasting and now minus conditioning. |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur Union | 5.90 | Not Tried |
11 Jun 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | Tired |
| Two by Two - Porter | 5.00 | | All condition lost |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur Union | 5.90 | | Not very good for a union ale from Thornbridge. Not clean tasting and little condition |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | Not Tried |
09 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with a local club in after their meeting locally among the Tuesday regulars for the last half an hour of serving. The fiddlers were still playing for a change as well!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fourth day on for this pleasantly old-fashioned tasting dark amber-coloured Kentish bitter from Birling, north of West Malling, and still presenting good head and lacing and lasting all the way. A very dry hoppy first bite. A hoppy bitterness rising with not much of a detectable malty note although a hint of toffee-caramel sweetness emerging with the likes of Maris Otter alongside Crystal malt. A dry herbal bitterness prevailing aided by its mix of local Kentish hops such as Goldings, Fuggles and Challenger. A very lightly fruited hoppiness paddling out with touches on my tongue of dark autumn fruits like plum and fig, contrasted with notes of spicy orange and a sharpness from marmalade flavourings. Served still in very good form. |
| Two by Two - Porter | 5.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on since my last visit on Sunday and exhibiting a creamy head but its lacing not overly lasting on this Newcastle porter from this 2014-launched brewery originally set up on the outskirts in Wallsend, Tyneside, before the brewery moved in 2022 closer to the city centre to Morley's Yard in Byker and 1 to 2 miles east of Newcastle’s centre. A dry malty first bite. A smokiness rising with hints of a roasted, malty biscuity dryness from its mix of Maris Otter, forming its base malt, and joined by roasted grains, including cocoa, chocolate, espresso and black malts and sweet roasted crystals. Its creamy head lending it much appeal but this evaporated somewhat speedily, leaving touches of cocoa, espresso and roasted sweet malts on my palate. A malty bitterness prevailing with hints of cedar, mint, cream and vanilla from its American hop, Sabro, aiding its dry lingering fruity-dry finish. Its UK East Kent Goldings hops lending a hedgerow and red berry bitterness on its descent. Not overly flavoured for my taste buds and perhaps just a tad thin-tasting where more conditioning could have counteracted this. |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | Not Tried |
09 Jun 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Last knockings visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Prohibition | 4.80 | | Very good in every way |
| Two by Two - Porter | 5.00 | | Drank without really noticing |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | Not Tried |
07 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall but for Sunday regulars on parade for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | Second day on for this amber-coloured Kentish bitter from Birling, north of West Malling, and still presenting good head and lacing and lasting all the way. A very dry hoppy first bite. A hoppy bitterness rising. An ever so mildly sweet note from its hint of toffee-caramel from its likely Maris Otter alongside Crystal malt. A dry herbal bitterness from its mix of local Kentish hops and likely to be Goldings, Fuggles and Challenger. A very lightly fruited hoppiness paddling out with from fruits such as plum, fig and spicy orange contrasted by a sharp marmalade hit to it. Served still in very good form. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Jester XPA (collaboration with Five Points) | 3.80 | Not Tried |
07 Jun 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | Very lively and met my taste expectations |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | 5.20 | | Disappointing - poured flattish |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Jester XPA (collaboration with Five Points) | 3.80 | Not Tried |
06 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just the Saturday regulars on parade among the more occasional for the last hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Second day on for this Maidstone-brewed Kentish dark mild and served with lasting head and lacing and brewed originally to celebrate Goachers’ 5th anniversary in 1988. A dry malty first hit with subtle hints of coffee and dark fruits like blackberry. A gentle bitterness rising from its Kent Fuggles. A malty bitterness winning over from being brewed with chocolate and black malts lending it dark chocolate, toffee and roasted coffee flavourings. A dry hoppy note sliding downwards. In very good nick and perfectly palatable. |
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on literally was this amber-coloured Birling-brewed Kentish bitter from north of West Malling and exhibiting a lasting head and lacing throughout. A dry hoppy first hit. A dry hoppy floral fruitiness rising from its mix of local Kentish hops such as Goldings, Fuggles and Challenger, and giving rise to flavours of dark fruits such as plum and fig. A gentle bitterness winning over. Nothing really sweet about this bitter apart from the merest hint of toffee-caramel sweetness from its likely Maris Otter alongside Crystal malt. A fruity kick to it on its passage downwards aided by hints of spicy orange and a sharp marmalade flavouring caressing my tongue. Served in top condition with plenty of mouthfeel. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on for this Ramsgate-brewed Kentish amber ale and some head and lacing and lasting most of the way. A mildly fruited bitterness rising from its Goldings hops lending it a citrusy and limey touch and joined by Fuggles aiding its earthiness and with a mild woodiness, damp soil and cedar hints. A dry grassy and floral hoppiness sailing out with a biscuit-like malty sweetness from its crystal malts. Slightly minus conditioning but no off-flavours and so perhaps just a tad tired. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Coppice | 3.40 | Not Tried |
04 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with the Thursday regulars among the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | This ruby red to rusty copper-coloured Ramsgate-brewed Kentish best bitter on its second day still presented very good head and lacing and lasting. A malty bitter first hit all ably assisted by its six different malts including roasted, biscuit* and crystal malts. A biscuity-infused* bitterness rising with hints of toffee and sweet caramel. A hoppy note winning over and lingering from its four local hop varieties of fresh green hops, including traditional varieties like Northdown and East Kent Goldings, with flavours of red berries and spicy blackcurrant alongside stone fruits such as cherry. Served in top form and holding its lacing well and with good conditioning. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Pride & Joy | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Shiny | 3.40 | Not Tried |
04 Jun 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | 2nd day on - good but some loss of condition |
| Vocation - Pride & Joy | 4.80 | | Poured flat in glass |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Shiny | 3.40 | Not Tried |
02 Jun 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | Most condition now lost |
| Elusive - Shapeshifter (collaboration with North Riding Brewery) | 4.30 | | Poured flat |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Shiny | 3.40 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 773 |
| 2133 |
| 697 |
 | 59 |
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 1699 times, seen 2000 different beers and tried 1177 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ