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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier |  | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter |  | 5 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star |  | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 1 |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | | 4 |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout |  | 1 |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | | 3 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Christmas Session | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
23 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 25 minutes of serving with just a few of the hardened on parade!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | Fresh on and saw others supping it and so had to be done in following their example! Very good head and lacing and lasting with an impressive foaminess presented on top. A roasted maltiness on the first hit. The merest hint of chocolate in its dry bitterness rising. A hoppy note or two winning over from its Fuggles hops, lending it a moreish bitterness to aid its pleasant sailing. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | Second night on for this Ramsgate-brewed pale ale and exhibiting some head and lacing but not lasting and so only a pint on arrival sufficed. A hoppy citrusy first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising afforded by its juicy US hops such as Ekuanot, Simcoe and Simcoe Cryo. Hints of resinous pine joining juicy tropical fruit flavourings from guava and citrus zest emerging before its paddling downwards. |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | Not Tried | Now its fourth night. Was tempted to try it but resisted having enjoyed it on earlier occasions. |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
22 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. At end of session there was a resolved barney outside.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | A fall from yesterday's grace having become flat in the glass |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
22 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A sprinkling of hardened regulars among the odd lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Now the third day for this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling and noticeably less fresh. Head and lacing visible but not overly lasting. A dry hoppy first hit. A bitter hopped dryness pervading aided by its Kentish hops, Goldings and Fuggles. A malty note or two queuing up to slide downwards. The fruity kick felt the night before was gone and like a deflating balloon, its flavours were expiring but still that moreish dry hoppiness lingering. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Now the third day on for this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, with noticeably less head and lacing on being poured and with its lacing not lasting. A bitterness in its first bite. A fruity bitterness rising alongside that same spicy note from its fruity Kazbek hops. Still subtle hints of sherry and porter. A malty fruitiness abseiling out. Other regulars also on it but we were all agreed that it was past its best on just its third day. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Back on from Friday when last seen and supped but not on the guvnor's tasting notes unusually as either on now or coming next. |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
21 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with a handful of Sunday regulars and a few of the more occasional for the last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Second day for this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling and still exhibiting a reasonable head and lacing and lasting. I felt it was perhaps improved on its very fresh beginnings the day before. A very hoppy first bite. A dry bitterness rising with a lively hop or two tap dancing on my palate, aided by those Kentish hops, Goldings and Fuggles. The odd fruity kick felt before its final cascading downwards. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Second day on for this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, with head and lacing still to die for once again. A bitter but mildly fruited first hit with a hint of chocolate leaping up. A dark fruited sweetness emerging with a bitter dryness giving way to a spicy note from its fruity Kazbek hops. A dry, malty flavouring pervading with subtle hints of sherry and porter bobbing up in this fruity concoction. A maltiness tinged with fruitiness hanging on for its final descent. Still very moreish and was proving very popular among other regulars, too! |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
21 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | By far best of the evening |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Soon went flat in glass |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | | Needed more life to carry off this strong flavour |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
20 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good crowd of the Saturday regulars on parade among the hardened and lesser spotted for the last 45 minutes of serving. Just two remaining beers on from the night before as in a Pig & Porter and a Canterbury. The reason for this was that Charlton FC had played at home earlier, beating Oxford 1-0, and so a good few ales were sunk to celebrate that victory.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Fresh on today and exhibiting all the head and lacing you could wish for and lasting superbly on this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling. A very dry hoppy first bite. A hoppy bitterness rising aided by its moreish mix of malts. A fruitiness sailing out aided by its Kentish hops: Goldings and Fuggles. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Fresh on like the Kent bitter and an impressive foaming top to this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, and lacing clinging on all the way throughout its stunning performance. A very bitter and mildly fruity first bite from this dark porter. A malty and dark fruited sweetness rising. A bitter dryness pervading with a spicy note leaping up from its Kazbek hops noted for their sweet fruited flavourings, suggestive of pineapple, passion fruit, peach and watermelon. A dry, porter-like, flavouring veering up with a sherry note bobbing along. A dry malty bitterness paddling out. Very palatable indeed! |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Christmas Session | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
19 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good few regulars on parade among the more occasional for the last half hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | Second night on for this Ramsgate-brewed pale ale and still performing well with a good head and lacing sticking to the end. A citrusy first bite with hints of resinous pine. A moreish hoppiness rising aided by such American hops as Ekuanot, Simcoe and Simcoe Cryo. A citrusy-infused slide for Santa down my chimney, aided by its juicy tropical fruit flavourings from guava and citrus zest. |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | This Baltic porter from just outside Hardley, south of Southampton's estuary was now on its third night. Still very good head and lacing with a creaminess still evident on top and lasting. A slightly smoky first hit. Its seven different malts adding to its recurring smoky maltiness. A fruity spiciness rising with hints of biscuity sweetness and touches of toasted bread, coffee, chocolate and caramel. A dry malty bitterness abseiling out. One half again sufficed at 7% and after a good few Gadds' Hoppy Pale Ales. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried |
18 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good crowd in for the annual Christmas carols put on by a local church choir. Got in at about my usual time of about half-ten. There was an extension way beyond 11pm. Not as many regulars as is normal on a Thursday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Second night on for this Northfleet-brewed bitter from just outside Gravesend and still presenting good head and lacing and almost lasting. A slightly fruited note in its bitter first bite with hints of honey and spice. A dry bitterness clambering up with a degree of hoppiness from its First Gold, East Kent Golding and Admiral hops. Fruity orange and plum notes rising and in tune with the carol singers before climaxing with a good rousing finale of bitterness mixed with toffee malt. |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | Second night on for this Baltic porter* from just outside Hardley, south of Southampton's estuary across Southampton Water. Good head and lacing with a creamy top to it and lasting. A malty first hit from its seven different malts and fermented with house lager yeast. A fruity spiciness rising with hints of biscuity sweetness. Hints of toasted bread, coffee, chocolate, and caramel emerging. A dry maltiness winning over with the odd bitter note abseiling out. One half sufficed at 7% and after a good few Iron Pier bitters! *A Baltic Porter is a strong, dark beer style that bridges the gap between traditional English Porters and Russian Imperial Stouts, emanating from the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea (such as Poland, Estonia and Finland) in the 18th and 19th centuries. |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Came on belatedly to replace Oakham's Original Pale Ale. |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
18 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit with a midnightish extension that I did not fully avail myself of. On my arrival the local carol singers were inside reaching a crescendo.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | | Bordering upon being poor. Murky, tasted incomplete. One other seen sending theirs back |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | | New cask on. A bit fresh |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Came on late on |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | Not Tried |
17 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | Needed more condition to carry off this 7% stronger ale |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Simply tired |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 720 |
| 1914 |
| 597 |
| 51 |
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 1514 times, seen 1900 different beers and tried 1118 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ