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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best |  | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Birchwood Bitter | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | | 1 |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | | 2 |
| Redemption - American Pale | | 1 |
| Redemption - Urban Dusk | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | | 3 |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | | 2 |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | | 2 |
| Bexley - Feather | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Inferno | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Sanctum Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Redemption - Trinity | Not Tried | 0 |
| Steam Town - Salus Populi | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Citra Idaho 7 Azacca | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two Flints - Santiago | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Penpol | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Paper Room | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
03 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with two tables of the lesser spotted no less among the usual suspects for the last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Second night on for this Hackney-brewed best bitter and still exhibiting head and lacing and lasting. A dry bitter first hit. A fruited hoppiness rising from its Fuggles hops sourced from Hukins Hops in Kent, lending for me an earthy, herbal and grassy flavouring. A dry maltiness winning over from its Maris Otter lending a bready touch. Its Crystal malt aiding its caramelised toffee infusions and its Amber malt a dry biscuity hint. This is all pitched against recently added hops to the recipe as in Ernest and Challenger giving rise to a fruit-salad flavouring. A dry hoppy fruitiness paddling out. Slightly thin on the taste buds with a loss of conditioning from just the evening before but still holding its head and lacing. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Paper Room | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | 4.00 | Not Tried |
02 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with a contingent of Saturday regulars, the hardened and the lesser spotted for the last hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | First night on for this Hackney-brewed best bitter from the East London brewery set up in 2013 and tapped shortly before my arrival and so exhibiting good head and lacing and lasting as you would expect. A bitter, sweet first hit. A dry hoppiness rising from its Fuggles sourced from Hukins Hops in Kent, lending it earthy, herbal and grassy notes. Its hoppy sweetness derived from its Ernest hops, behind its apricot and nectarine, mango and passionfruit and citrus peel, grapefruit and orange zest hints. Its Challenger hops behind its fruit-salad flavours of lemony marmalade, banana and berries to my taste buddies. A gentle malty note joining in from its Maris Otter aiding its bready flavours, Crystal malt behind its caramelised toffee infusions and Amber malt presenting a dry biscuity touch. A dry hoppy bitterness descending without my taste buds’ protest in the least as served in top condition but perhaps just a tad too fresh. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Siren | 4.00 | Not Tried |
30 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with many a regular on parade among some of the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Birchwood Bitter | 3.90 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on was this Essex bitter from Maldon and so very good head and lacing and sticking all the way. A very dry bitter first bite aided by its UK Targett hops. A fruited maltiness rising with hints of sage and pepper in on the act. Its Maris Otter malt behind its biscuity flavours, Crystal malt behind its hint of sweetness and Caramalt behind its caramel touches. A slightly fruity citrusy kick detected. A hoppy bitterness paddling out. Presented in good form on its first night on but perhaps just a tad too fresh and somewhat too sweet for my preferences. |
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second night on for this Hampshire extra special bitter from Eastleigh, some 5–6 miles north of Southampton, and named after Ralph Dutton, the Chairman of the London and South Western Railway Company who moved his railway works to Eastleigh in 1891. Presenting a very foamy head and lacing and lasting well. A malty first hit from its Maris Otter mixed with Crystal, Chocolate and Wheat malts. A gentle bitterness rising from its earthy Goldings with dark fruits evident, and mixed with UK Jester hops lending a citrusy edge. Its maltiness prevailing on the sail out. It was like a soup in its consistency and not really at all quaffable and so a half sufficed, as I was lucky to be able to decant from this pint glass into my now empty Birchwood Bitter glass before donating the rest of it. |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Sanctum Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
30 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Town - Ralph Dutton ESB | 5.80 | | New cask on today. Very malty and hardly displayed any of the tasting notes' characteristics |
| Mighty Oak - Birchwood Bitter | 3.90 | | Some bitterness but not a lot |
| Redemption - Trinity | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Sanctum Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | Taster was sharply acidic |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
28 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy with a good few of the more occasional assembled among the hardened regulars for the last half an hour of serving. Must be now the third Tuesday on the trot where the fiddlers have yet to recover their instruments' voices.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | | Fourth day on for this Berkshire bitter from Finchampstead, and where the brewery was set up 2013, but showing no let-up in displaying a good head and lacing but now only just lasting to the end. A dry bitter first bite from its English hop varieties aiding its bitter flavouring. A maltiness rising from its barley and wheat malts. Caramelised and toffee-infused biscuity notes landing on my taste buds. A dry malty bitterness on the finish aided by its Cascade hops in the dry-hopping stage, lending it citrus and grapefruit flavours. Its hoppiness still assisting a fruity kick and still perfectly drinkable despite it being its fourth day on. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | 4.30 | Not Tried |
28 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redemption - American Pale | 4.50 | | Not the citrus bore I so feared. Good condition |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | 4.30 | | Slight loss of edge since Sunday's |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 | Not Tried |
26 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A good few hardened regulars on parade among the odd lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | | Day two for this Berkshire bitter from Finchampstead and still very good head and lacing and lasting to the end. A dry malty bitter first hit. A biscuity maltiness rising with caramel and toffee notes. A fruited bitterness winning over. A dry maltiness aided by its barley and wheat malts sliding out and accompanied by citrus and grapefruity kicks derived from its Cascade hops used in this bitter’s dry-hopping stage. Still as drinkable as the evening before when fresh on but has lost a little of its conditioning. Still a pleasant mouthfeel and so resolutely stuck to it also on this visit. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | 4.30 | Not Tried |
26 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | | Refreshing start of session ale |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | 4.30 | | New cask on today so well zesty |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 |  | Tired |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried |
25 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet for the last 45 minutes of serving with just a handful of the Saturday regulars in among a few of the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 |  | First day on for this Berkshire bitter from its Finchampstead brewery set up 2013 and exhibiting proudly a very good head and lacing scoring all the way. What with a Charlton FC home-game wiping out its predecessor shortly before I got into this East Greenwich micro, it had by all accounts only just wandered onto the pitch as a very able substitute. Its English hop varieties lending it a dry bitter first bite. Its barley and wheat malts aiding its caramelised and toffee-infused biscuity flavours. A dry maltiness on the finish and supported by its team of Cascade hops in the dry-hopping stage, lending it citrus and grapefruit touches. A good fruity kick from its hoppiness was very striking. Seriously drinkable as served in such good form, it just had to continue performing for me on my taste buds. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Verdant - Penpol | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Citra Idaho 7 Azacca | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Steam Town - Salus Populi | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 | Not Tried |
23 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall with a mix of the regulars on show and the not so regular also in evidence for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redemption - Urban Dusk | 4.60 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second night on and presented with good head and lacing but not lasting on this dark premium bitter produced by North London-based brewery, Redemption Brewing Company, in Tottenham. A very dry bitter first bite. A maltiness climbing with caramel hints, coffee aromas, and hazelnut and caramel notes. Its pale malt was there to provide its sweetness, while chocolate and crystal malt contributed to its flavoursome body. A hoppy earthy bitterness winning over from its traditional English hops, Bramling Cross behind its dark fruit and blackcurrant flavours, and First Gold giving rise to is spiciness. Also, citrusy hints becoming apparent for me but not overly fruited; just that odd hedgerow fruity note putting in a momentary appearance before its final descent. I recall its odd fruity kick with a malty touch also being detected. Served in good form but not quite my personal favourite bitter. |
| Three Acre - Old Aged Ale | 5.60 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second night on for this East Sussex veteran ale sporting a similarly good head, even a creaminess apparent, and some lacing to start with but not lasting. A spicy first hit on it and from a microbrewery some 4 miles east of Uckfield town centre which began in a garden shed in 2018 with a 28-litre home-brew kit before upsizing to commercial equipment a year later. A fruitiness rising with dried currants mixed in with toasted chestnut. A striking raspberry flavouring coming to the fore. British malts lending it a woody, oaky maltiness with additional locally sourced ingredients from the Sussex countryside by all accounts. Traditional English hops in on the mix aiding its final descent. Just a touch too fruity for me. As somewhat thin on the mouthfeel, it was served here just beyond its peak. It has by all accounts been cask conditioned for some three months to give it that extra ageing. |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Bexley - Feather | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Pale Ale | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Thunderhawk | 4.30 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 756 |
| 2083 |
| 669 |
 | 58 |
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 1656 times, seen 1980 different beers and tried 1165 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ