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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Silver Star |  | 2 |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale |  | 1 |
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | | 3 |
| Ossett - Ossett Blonde | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | | 3 |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | | 4 |
| Siren Craft - Fashionably Late (collaboration with Steam Town) | | 2 |
| Siren Craft - Memento |  | 2 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - American Brown Ale (collaboration with Track) | | 1 |
| Anspach & Hobday - Citropolis | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Trip - Animal | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dorking - Stanza - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Session Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
04 Aug 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall with just a table and a half of hardened regulars for the last three-quarters of an hour of serving but for a straddle of fiddlers also in low turnout out the back and certainly no exaltation of larks emanating from their musical cacophony. There was only one lesser spotted eagle! CONTINUED FROM HEADING FOR SIREN CRAFT MEMENTO: But a very sharp, apple-tinged bitterness rising which was also noted by another sampling it. This means it was put on too soon whilst still going through its second fermentation and which could have been simply avoided. A chore to finish and even though I had tried a tiny taster and so passed it then. It is the guvnor’s house policy not to accept returned beer regardless of off-flavours or lifelessness detected, in the guvnor explaining “it is, what it is!” One most certainly sufficed. Will it recover by its second or third day on remains to be seen? Certainly, its malty notes of toasted bread and caramel shone through and from its Malted Barley and Wheat aiding a biscuity, caramel base but not as intended, its head retention. As for a hint of dark orchard fruits and apricots and a berry hit or two from its dry hopping at the end, I think the sour apple, acetaldehyde flavouring over-ruled those more subtle tastes the brewer intended. I have much enjoyed this beer’s earthy, grassy bitterness with a subtle herbal hoppiness but not on this occasion. Its English hops are designed to lend this beer its bitterness, and a dry-hop addition of American Cascade hops are intended to lend a citrusy note. Served too early sums it up and so a chore therefore.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second night on for this golden-coloured Citra pale from Maldon, Essex, and where brewing moved to in 2001 following being set up in 1996 in Essex’s Brentwood. A fellow regular remarked it was too fresh when tried the day before and so another example of a beer put on too quickly. Good head and lacing retention by contrast with the Memento bitter and lasting all the way. A hoppy fruitiness in its first bite from its primary use of US Citra hops, alongside Aurora, Cascade and Chinook. A gentle hoppy fruitiness rising and none too tropical with passion fruit and nectarine ruling the waves on my tongue. A gentle malty note joining in care of its Maris Otter Pale and Caramalt. A hop-infused orange zest fruitiness sailing out. Timed it obviously just right to enjoy it on its second day on. |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Now either its fourth or fifth day on and not holding its head and lacing for long on this breakfast stout from Finchampstead in Berkshire where brewing and set up in 2013. A malty, chocolatey first bite. Its smoky flavours have vastly diminished for me since first trying it on Sunday. My taste buddies preparing to do battle with the onslaught of US Apollo hops with their grapefruit, lime and orange peel flavours in their infantry. High in alpha acids, the chemical compounds in hop resin, these hops dissolve during boiling leading to this stout’s bitterness. Did I get its earthiness, woodiness, touches of cannabis* and light spices? To a degree but its fruity battalion won for me. Flavours coming up from the rear of espresso coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla and dark fruits emanating from its maltiness comprising Malted Barley, Wheat and Oats and aided by chocolate malt and lactose (milk sugar). Certainly, a dry malty chocolatey note hanging on in there for me. Again, as on Sunday, not holding its head and lacing and now no doubt due to its days on. *What do hops and cannabis have in common? They are botanical cousins of the same Cannabinaceae family and share the exact same aromatic chemical compounds called terpenes. |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 |  | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on with minimal head and lacing and not lasting on this Berkshire bitter from Finchampstead and where brewing was founded in 2013. It is thankfully unusual for a real ale to be so tired from the outset. Perhaps it was still going through its second fermentation? That is what brewers call "green beer" and which is an unconditioned product that has not finished its process. When a cask is tapped before the secondary fermentation is complete, the beer will completely lack a lasting head and lacing, and where yeast has not produced enough gas yet, leaving the liquid under-carbonated and lifeless. If the yeast is still actively struggling to finish fermentation, it releases fatty acids which destroy the foam-positive proteins needed to sustain a head. Beer served even mid-fermentation has too much active yeast suspended in the liquid. A tell-tale sign of not being ready to drink is a cloudy pint for a beer not intended to be cloudy where the finings and yeast have not had enough time to settle to the bottom of the cask. This appeared from my visual inspection not to be the case. Active yeast produces diacetyl during early fermentation and needs time to reabsorb this chemical. Did I detect in this unintended green beer diacetyl, noted for its butter or butterscotch flavours? They were not off-flavours as such but not in the least moreish flavours either. But there was a hint of sour green apples, referred to as acetaldehyde, about it suggesting the beer was pulled from the cellar before the maturation phase finished. Another reason for tasting/looking tired but clear in appearance is where the porous soft spile in the top of the cask has been left for too many days so allowing the naturally created gas to escape continuously into the room, causing the beer to be flat. A shame as Memento is actually not a bad bitter when served right. A dry maltiness in its first bite. CONTINUED UNDER GENERAL COMMENTS HEADING, AS INDICATED. |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | 5.50 | Not Tried |
04 Aug 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Birthday boy's birthday eve.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | 5.50 | | Haze job but still best on of all I tried here tonight |
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | Slight improvement after yesterday's |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | | Full on taste but no condition |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | | First day on, not right but no off flavours |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
03 Aug 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Low Monday footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | 5.50 | | Milkshake looking haze but I enjoyed it more than I expected |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | | Little if any condition |
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | First day on, a Mr Average ale |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Fashionably Late (collaboration with Steam Town) | 4.50 | Not Tried |
02 Aug 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Fashionably Late (collaboration with Steam Town) | 4.50 | | Condition good but in same old same old citrus. Where is the USP? |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | | Poured like a Shrove Tuesday pancake. So unappetising when like this |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | 5.50 | Not Tried |
02 Aug 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A table or two of regulars mixed with the more occasional for the last hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anspach & Hobday - Bermondsey Pale | 3.40 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on and presented with good head and lasting lacing on this Bermondsey Pale as appropriately named for its brewery based in a railway arch along Druid Street in London’s Bermondsey and established in 2013. While their taproom remains in Bermondsey, they expanded their core production to a larger brewing facility in Croydon in 2020. This straw-coloured, golden pale has here been produced as a nod to the hardworking families of Bermondsey who would travel to Kent to go hop picking or ‘oppin’ for their holidays for local breweries in bygone days. A gentle hoppiness on its first hit from its English Jester bred specifically as a seedling of the American Cascade hop to compete with punchy US varieties, lending grapefruit, tropical fruits and blackcurrant flavours and hints of lychee, "New World" style British hop, Ernest behind its juicy stone fruit such as apricot along with ripe mango, grapefruit and citrus peel, and English Bramling Cross hops behind its flavours of dark berry fruits such as blackcurrant, loganberry, blackberries, and plums, and mixed with a hint of lemony citrus and where Bramling Cross is more usually destined for the likes of traditional bitters, stouts and porters. A gentle spicy fruitiness rising from its biscuity and bready English Malted Barley. A dry and earthy hoppy bitterness lingering. Served in fine fettle. |
| Siren Craft - Fashionably Late (collaboration with Steam Town) | 4.50 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second day on was this pale from Finchampstead in Berkshire, where brewing and set up in 2013, and produced collaboratively with Eastleigh’s microbrewery 5 miles north of Southampton. It presented very good head and lacing and lasting. A very fruited first bite. An unusual first flavouring and where Siren Craft often brew with the following to help explain it: espresso coffee, lactose (milk sugar), cacao (from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree and the origin of all chocolate and is rarely added because the high fat and oil content destroys the beer's head retention), orange zest, and wood spirals which are precision-carved pieces of wood cut into a tight helix or corkscrew shape and where the beer circulates through the spirals, pulling out wood flavours in just days instead of the months required for barrel aging. A fruited hoppiness rising but not too tropical for my taste buds despite flavours of tropical fruit and stone fruit dive-bombing my taste buddies and derived from its American hops, Columbus behind its bittering, Strata behind the odd passionfruit and herbal flavour, Mosaic behind its berry and stone fruit hints, Krush lending it peach and citrus, and Amarillo behind its orange and citrus notes. A touch of maltiness from its base of pale malt alongside oats and wheat, the latter two aiding its extra body to carry the resinous hop oils and preventing the beer from tasting too thin or watery. A dry piney resinous fruitiness sailing out. Served in very good nick. |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | | 3rd beer of this visit: A little head and lacing but not lasting and no doubt reflecting this was either its second or third day on for this breakfast stout from Finchampstead in Berkshire where brewing and set up in 2013. Quite a smoky first hit for me. Its US Apollo hops unleashing on my taste buddies grapefruit, lime and orange peel flavours and said to also have an earthiness, woodiness, touches of cannabis* and light spices. These hops are high in alpha acids, the chemical compounds in hop resin that dissolve during the boiling process to lend bitterness. A maltiness rising from its Malted Barley, Wheat and Oats and aided by chocolate malt and lactose as in milk sugar. Its maltiness lending it flavours of espresso coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla and dark fruits. A dry malty chocolatey note lingering for me. Not holding its head and lacing was not a good sign and little conditioning presented that it might have certainly started with when fresh on. *Hops and cannabis are botanical cousins of the same Cannabinaceae family and where they share the exact same aromatic chemical compounds called terpenes. |
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Nelson Revolution | 5.50 | Not Tried |
01 Aug 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A good few regulars on parade among a few of the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Jake the Snake | 4.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on within minutes of this visit and good head and lacing to start with but not hanging on to it which is not usual for a new beer just tapped. A dry hoppy first hit on this Essex golden ale from Maldon. A gentle fruited hoppiness rising from its UK First Gold lending a hint of sweet tangerine, orange marmalade and zesty citrus for me alongside a touch of magnolia and US Mount Hood hops lending it herbal notes such as tarragon and sage, along with cedarwood and mild floral touches. A touch of a subtle honey-like sweetness winning over from its Maris Otter Pale Malts. A floral hoppiness prevailing before its descent downwards. Served in good form. |
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Third day on and still exhibiting head and lacing at first but not keeping it. A dry bitter first hit on this Tunbridge Wells-brewed bitter. A gentle fruited hoppiness rising with earthy spicy notes from its Fuggles hops and with berry and other dried fruit flavours emanating from its Bramling Cross hops. A maltiness winning over with a toffee-infused biscuity flavouring prevailing. A dry fruited bitterness sailing out. Past its best and so one sufficed for me. |
| Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | 4.20 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Big Trip - Animal | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Fashionably Late (collaboration with Steam Town) | 4.50 | Not Tried |
30 Jul 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with half the front drinking area of this micropub minus any customers for the last half an hour of serving whilst the other half had its regulars and a few lesser spotted.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | 4.00 | | Fresh on and exhibiting some head and lacing but not keeping it which is very unusual for a freshly tapped beer. A hoppy first hit on this Tunbridge Wells-brewed bitter. A dry and gently fruited bitterness rising. A toffee-infused maltiness with a biscuity touch rising. A dry hoppiness prevailing with a hint of earthiness and spice from its Fuggles hops. A fruity note lingering on its descent and from its Bramling Cross hops lending subtle berry and other dried fruit flavours. Perhaps just a tad too fresh which is why its head and lacing was somewhat momentary on being first poured. It was though flavoursome with no off-flavours in its favour. |
| Ossett - Ossett Blonde | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - American Brown Ale (collaboration with Track) | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Big Trip - Animal | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Citropolis | 4.50 | Not Tried |
30 Jul 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Some straight talking across the table.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Yes, No, Wait, Sorry! | 4.00 | | Very earthy bitter fresh on today. Zesty mouth feel |
| Ossett - Ossett Blonde | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - American Brown Ale (collaboration with Track) | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Big Trip - Animal | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Citropolis | 4.50 | Not Tried |
29 Jul 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Another hottest day of the year!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | | Holding good condition |
| Ossett - Ossett Blonde | 3.90 | | Basic pale. Drank with hardly noticing |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - American Brown Ale (collaboration with Track) | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Big Trip - Animal | 5.30 | Not Tried |
28 Jul 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with a mixture of regulars and the more occasional for the last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and good head and lacing but not totally staying on parade on this Maidstone-brewed Kentish pale ale. A hoppy first hit on this blonde-coloured pale originally brewed in 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Goacher's Brewery. A gentle fruitiness rising with a zesty and floral touch. A hoppiness lingering from its single Kent Fuggles. A dry bitterness prevailing and lingering on the sailing out. Served in good nick but not overly hanging on to its lacing. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - American Brown Ale (collaboration with Track) | 5.60 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Third day on and still exhibiting a lasting head and lacing on this American Brown Ale from Thornbridge brewing in Bakewell and made in collaboration with Manchester’s Track Brewing. A dry malty first bite on this mahogany brown hued ale. A bitter maltiness rising from its Malted Barley and Oats. A malty, nutty and toasted caramelly sweetness joining in. Touches of chocolate, creamy toffee and dark bread crust flavours prevailing. Fruity notes of grapefruit citrus alongside resinous pine lingering. Its hoppy bitterness from its US West Coast hops: Centennial, Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook. Served still in good nick. |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | 1st beer of this visit: Third day on now and little head and lacing evident and not keeping it on this Kentish session bitter from the Maidstone brewery set up in 1983. A dry hoppiness in its first bite. A fruity note bobbing up from its depths aided by its 100% whole Kentish hops. Its 100% malted barley minus any added sugars or artificial colourings lending a touch of biscuity maltiness. A shame it has gone from being so moreish to lacking conditioning on only its third day. Only one therefore sufficed. |
| Anspach & Hobday - The IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dorking - Stanza - Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Sweet Caroline | 4.20 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 792 |
| 2178 |
| 731 |
| 63 |
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 1755 times, seen 2028 different beers and tried 1195 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ