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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) |  | 2 |
| Kent - The Quiet American |  | 1 |
| Oakham - White Dwarf | | 3 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | | 4 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Stan the Man |  | 1 |
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | | 2 |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | | 4 |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | | 4 |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | | 2 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Pomona | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Zingiber | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Jester XPA (collaboration with Five Points) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Steam Town - Shiny | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
02 Jun 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very busy footfall with a local club in after their nearby meeting, alongside a few of the hardened regulars also on parade for the last half an hour of serving. Some of the fiddlers seen but not heard playing!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Good head and lasting lacing presented on this Ramsgate-brewed straw-coloured golden ale on its third day on. A dry fruited first hit. A gentle hoppiness climbing from using locally grown Kentish hops, and most likely to be featuring East Kent Goldings and Challenger varieties. A zesty, hoppy lemon flavouring landing on my taste buds. A fruited hoppiness sailing out aided by hints of apricot and biscuit. Just slightly over fruited for my taste buds. Served in good nick. |
| Elusive - Shapeshifter (collaboration with North Riding Brewery) | 4.30 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second day on and good head and lasting lacing on this collaboration between Elusive Brewing from Finchampstead, near Wokingham in Berkshire where brewing was set up in 2016, and North Riding Brewery, based in the village of Snainton on the outskirts of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and with commercial production commencing in 2015. A dry hoppy first hit. A grapey fruitiness rising on my palate from its Krush, Amarillo and Simcoe hops from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and known as the Yakima Valley in Washington State, lending citrusy piney flavours. Very infused with flavours of grapes fresh off the vine for me alongside gentle hints of mango, peach and soft berry flavours from its Krush hops. A lingering dry fruitiness on its descent. Slightly over fruited for me but served in reasonable nick. |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fifth day on and still some head and lacing on being poured but not lasting on this Hampshire bitter from the New Forest and where the brewery is based in Hardley, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and first set up in 2011. A malty bitter first bite. A bitter hoppiness rising aided by its British-grown Bramling Cross. A maltiness winning over with toasted bread and biscuity flavours for me. A fruited bitter finish lingering. Tired with little conditioning remaining. |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | 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 |
31 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for the last half an hour of serving with a mix of the regulars and the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and exhibiting a very good head and lasting lacing on this Ramsgate-brewed straw-coloured golden ale. A dry fruity first bite. Locally grown Kentish hops, and most likely to be featuring East Kent Goldings and Challenger varieties, aiding its gentle hoppiness with touches of zesty, hoppy lemon flavourings. Hints of apricot and biscuit bobbing up in its fruited hoppiness sailing out. A touch over fruited for my taste buds but a pleasant oiliness from the hops detected. Served in very good nick. |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Third day on and good head and lacing on being served and nearly lasting on this Hampshire bitter brewed on the edge of the New Forest National Park and at its Hardley-based brewery. A dry bitter first hit. A malty bitterness rising ably assisted by its malts including Maris Otter, lending a biscuity caramelised-infusion on my taste buds. A fruity bitterness winning over from its British-grown Bramling Cross aiding its fruited bitter hoppiness. A fruited bitterness lasting in the aftertaste. Served in good form. |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pomona | 5.00 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Steam Town - Shiny | 3.40 | Not Tried |
31 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | A good Ramsgate ale in good condition |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | 4.00 | | Condition good but unexceptional in taste. Perhaps a generous score |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | | Poured flat |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | Hanging on in there |
| Kent - Pomona | 5.00 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Steam Town - Shiny | 3.40 | Not Tried |
30 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A mix of the Saturday regulars, the hardened and the lesser spotted for the last three-quarters of an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Stan the Man | 4.20 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Good head and lasting lacing on this Ramsgate-brewed session IPA on its second day on. A dry hoppy first hit. A gentle fruited hoppiness rising from its modern British hop varieties including Harlequin*, a daughter of the British Godiva hop that was commercially released in 2019, and Mystic*, a daughter of the British Jester hop that was released around also 2019, and alongside the established East Kent Goldings. A fruitiness prevailing on my taste buds. Paddling out with flavours of passionfruit, peach and pineapple caressing my taste buds. Served in fine fettle but a touch too fruited for me! *These hops were developed by the Charles Faram Hop Development Programme to give UK brewers intense, tropical, "New World" flavours without the need to import US or New Zealand hops. |
| Vibrant Forest - Dapple | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on and good head and lacing on being served and almost lasting on this Hampshire bitter from the Hardley-based brewery on the edge of the New Forest National Park and first set up in 2011. A dry bitter first hit. Its British-grown Bramling Cross lending it a bitter hoppiness. Aided by its malts including Maris Otter, a biscuity caramelised-infused maltiness rising with toffee notes. A fruited bitterness lasting in the aftertaste. Served in good nick. |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Jester XPA (collaboration with Five Points) | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pomona | 5.00 | Not Tried |
28 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy with a good few of the Thursday regulars on parade among the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving. Amazed to still see the same bitter on from Wednesday of the week before, 20th May 2026, and when I tried it on 21st, it was flat tasting and so I could only manage one. It must win the award for the longest reigning bitter on at 9 days!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on and still presenting a very healthy head and lasting lacing on this Peterborough-brewed golden ale that was originally a wheat beer and so-named for being brewed with a large proportion of wheat alongside the standard malted barley and with the grain bill typically consisting of 30% to 70% wheat. A dry hoppy first hit. A light zesty and citrusy fruitiness climbing up aided by its US Cascade hops mixed with its more subtle-flavoured UK hops, Pioneer behind some citrus, bitter lemon, grapefruit, cedar, and mild herbal hints, Goldings behind earthy, honey and lavender infusions and a sweet spiciness, and Challenger behind notes of floral spiciness, cedar wood and green tea. An emerging bitterness shining through those UK hops on my palate. A degree of maltiness for balance from Maris Otter and now made with just a touch of wheat. A fruity hoppiness paddling out. Good carbonation and served in still top condition. |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Third day on now and no longer presenting its creamy top. Some head still and lasting lacing on this jet-black porter from Hardley, Hampshire, on the edge of the New Forest National Park. A very coffee-infused first hit. A dark chocolatey maltiness climbing up from its charred, roasted and chocolate malts. A berry-infused fruitiness winning over with a parading across my palate of woodland fruits comprising red, purple, and black berries. Tart and sweet flavours coming to the fore of bilberries, elderberries, damsons and sloes, and the latter a sharp wild berry from the blackthorn bush. Its British hops aiding its foundational bittering balance. A bittersweet maltiness emerging with a cocoa-infused bitterness and smoky malty chocolate flavours lingering before their sailing out. Served still in good condition on its third day on. Because of its sweetness with a touch of treacle also in on the mix, once again a half certainly sufficed. |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | 9th day on! |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | 3.80 | Not Tried |
28 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | 2nd day on - good carbonation still |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | | Some loss of condition since yesterday's |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | For eternity? |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | 3.80 | Not Tried |
27 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | Foaming pint, one of first out of a new cask tonight |
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | | Rather glutinous porter |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | | One of last out of the cask. Ran out |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | Hanging on there |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | 3.80 | Not Tried |
26 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a few of the hardened surviving the day’s heatwave and the odd lesser spotted on parade for the last half an hour of serving. No sound of the Tuesday fiddlers!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Forest - Black Forest | 4.90 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and presenting a very creamy top to it and sticking firmly to the sides of the glass for its whole performance on this jet-black porter crafted “in the style of those brewed in old London”. Its brewery comes from humble beginnings set up in 2011 as a hobby in a tiny garage and is located in Hardley, Hampshire, on the edge of the New Forest National Park. A roasted coffee-infused first bite off this creamy creature. A dry maltiness rising up from its charred, roasted and chocolate malts with slithers of dark chocolate and espresso caressing my tongue. A fruitiness of dark forest deep-red, purple, and black berries that grow in woodland areas getting in on the act. These fruits for me lending a tart and sweet flavouring reminiscent of the likes of bilberries - the wild cousins of blueberries, elderberries - noted for being tart and sharp, damsons - the smaller version of tart, dark purple plums, and sloes said to be astringent, sharp wild berries from the blackthorn bush. Its British hops aiding its foundational bittering balance. A bittersweet maltiness with touches of charred malty chocolate flavours lingering before their slide down my passage with a cocoa-infused bitterness. Served in very good nick on its first day on but just slightly too sweet for my liking and not also aided by treacle-like flavours. |
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | 3.80 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on with a not so very frothy head as the day before but lasting lacing on this straw-coloured Berkshire pale from Stardust Brewery at White Waltham, Maidenhead, and set up in 2016. A fruity first bite. Notes of citrus alongside a hint of floral spice from its American Cascade hop which is primarily used and exuding touches of grapefruit and a subtle dry white wine fruitiness. Its Mosaic hop lending berry and stone fruit hints and its Idaho 7 aiding its piney and tropical flavours. By being mixed with just a single Pale Malt, its hops for me were stealing the show hands down. With its late Citra hopping, a dry bitterness paddling out. Second day on and still in good nick and keeping me suitably hydrated in this unseasonably hot weather. |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried |
25 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A rare visit for me on a Monday but part of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, experiencing the hottest temperatures for London with Kew Gardens in south-west London recording 34.8C and since
May's previous warmest days in the UK at 32.8C in 1922 and 1944. Just a sprinkling of the hardened in for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stardust - Easy Pale Cascade | 3.80 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on with a very frothy head and lasting lacing sticking all the way down on this straw-coloured Berkshire pale from Stardust Brewery at White Waltham, Maidenhead, and set up in 2016. A dry lightly fruity first bite. A hoppy fruitiness rising with for me not too dominant notes of citrus alongside a hint of floral spice. Not overly fruited or lemony for my discerning taste buds. A dry fruitiness pervading from its American Cascade hop predominantly used with touches of grapefruit and a subtle dry white wine fruitiness. A Mosaic hop or two also in the mix lending berry and stone fruit notes and Idaho 7 aiding its piney and tropical flavours and mixed with a single Pale Malt ensuring its hops steal the show. A good hoppy bitterness sailing out aided by its late Citra hopping. Presented in top nick with a very fine mouthfeel. |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Also fresh on and good head and lacing but not lasting as well as the Stardust on this light amber to deep gold coloured IPA and from high up on a hill in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, and with the brewery having been set up in 2015 initially in a repurposed chicken shed. Not surprisingly, reading the tasting notes, a very fruited first hit. A tropical fruitiness veering up from a barrage of pineapple, mango, and zesty grapefruit tap-dancing on my taste buds. Extra Pale malt and Caramalt in on its mix with a fruity hoppiness prevailing from its US West Coast Mosaic with gooseberry flavours the most prominent and lingering in its aftertaste. A sharp, lingering hoppy bitterness sailing out. A good mouthfeel about it and served in top form. |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 768 |
| 2129 |
| 688 |
 | 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 1690 times, seen 1999 different beers and tried 1177 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ