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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 - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) |  | 2 |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | | 4 |
| Kent - Prohibition X | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Sparks IPA | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | | 3 |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 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 |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
27 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Back after a few nights off due to very early closing over Christmas Day and Boxing Day and for last half an hour of now normal times once again of 11pm last orders. Very quiet footfall with just the regular Saturday troop in and just three of the hardened on parade including me. No extras from anywhere tonight. A bitter declared undrinkable by a good few Christmas Eve still on and the Saturday regulars shared a half between them and went no further with it! A stout from Vibrant Forest at 11.5% was tried by one but at £5.50 a half, I, like the many of the few in, resisted it!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Sparks IPA | 4.30 | | Was recommended it by the Saturday regulars who are a discerning bunch. Second day on by all accounts and head and lacing readily evident and lasting on this Essex IPA from Maldon. A dry fruited first hit. A fruity cocktail rising of hoppiness from its US Zappa, noted for its spicy touch among its tropical notes. A subtle hoppy bitterness paddling downwards with a fruited note or two playing this Essex brew out. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | Silly strength reflected silly price of £5.50 a half for this New Forest-brewed Imperial Stout. Saw this and left it alone and thankfully as at wine-strength! |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
24 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Perhaps expected to see higher footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | Good condition, not heavily flavoured |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | | Good condition but did not live up to the tasting notes allegation of double the hoppiness |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | Basic competent golden ale |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | Turned out to be a murk that tasted like unfermented wort. Returned but left on sale |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried |
24 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for Christmas eve. This is compared to earlier years. In my case this was for the last half hour of serving. Christmas Eve last orders used to be always mid-night but now 11pm, the normal last serving bell time. I was aware of this following a regular's e-mail relating to Facebook which I do not subscribe to. Others including regulars arrived too late! Just a table of the hardened in, and all importantly, in time and a few lesser spotted on top.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Now its second day on for this Ramsgate-brewed stout. Head and lacing, only good, and lasting, a real struggle. A malty first bite. The hint of chocolate had gone from its day before. Its dry bitterness prevailing. Still the hoppiness care of its Fuggles hops. A bitter hop or two parachuting down Santa's chimney. Not as good as when on just the day before but still pleasantly drinkable. |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Was recommended this by a fellow regular and was not disappointed. Fresh on was this Essex golden ale from Maldon and very good head and lacing and lasting profusely. A hoppy fruitiness in the first hit. A subtle sweetness rising, being a golden ale, but could not sniff the aromas of mango, lemon and elderflower. A hoppiness pervading from its likely Kazbek hops bred in the Czech Republic but not stated, and known for providing spicy hints and aiding the beer's caramelised fruitiness. A slight maltiness, as alluded to in the guvnor's tasting notes, on its parachuting off Santa's sleigh which turned up and with tasty ales for tomorrow we all hope! |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on this evening but such a shame! I was warned by others who had tried it, not to try it. Apparently according to one, the barrel had been knocked, so disturbing everything inside. A murkiness to die for on this Maidstone dark ale! Sufficiently light-coloured to observe the murkiness. No conditioning whatsoever and so what flavours might have been harbouring there, non-existent. Should not have been served it and on still when others earlier were taking this Best Dark Ale back. The guvnor was not on to be challenged. The staff member on would have obliged had I asked as indeed they did for others served this Best Dark. |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried |
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 |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 720 |
| 1920 |
| 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 1517 times, seen 1902 different beers and tried 1119 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ