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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York |  | 1 |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter |  | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Reeve's Ale | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold |  | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 3 |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA |  | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Sparks IPA | | 1 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | | 3 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | | 1 |
| Oakham - JHB | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 3 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | | 1 |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Castle Rock - Assymetry | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Prohibition X | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - Saw Pit | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - West Coast Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
02 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for the last half an hour of serving with just 5 of the hardened in and 3 of the occasional. "Dry January" is perhaps setting in! If asked what I drink, I reply occasionally at weekends for special occasions and well within the recommended measures!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Fresh on as replaced Canterbury's The Reeve's Ale when I requested my third pint. Superb head and lacing and lasting throughout on this York-brewed amber bitter. Very good head and lacing and lasting and so most definitely had gone through its second fermentation in the barrel. A dry malty first bite. A malty bitterness rising from its no less than 5 different malts with a hint of caramel and toffee but not overly noticeable. A fruity note or two tap dancing on my taste buds aided by its hints of pine, grapefruit and lemon flavourings from its background hoppiness prevailing from its New World hops. A pleasant malty bitterness paddling out with a slightly fruity kick to it from its mix of hops. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Reeve's Ale | 4.10 | | Only two supped as ran out after that. The first bitter from the Chartham-based brewery, south-west of Canterbury, presented good head and lacing and lasting. The second struggled on that front with much head and lacing not lasting. My comments below are only applicable to the first pint supped as flavours were diminishing by the second. A very dry malty first hit from its nutty malts. A hint of tartness rising in its fruity bitterness aided by its berry fruited hops. A lingering dry bitterness evident on its way out. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Assymetry | 4.20 | Not Tried |
01 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Just the two of us left just before the last bell.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Unchanged from yesterday's |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | Soon lost both head and lacing in the glass |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Reeve's Ale | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Assymetry | 4.20 | Not Tried |
31 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Late evening visit until close and which was coming up to 2am to welcome in the New Year. Quiet footfall but still a good few regulars in and the odd lesser spotted. The usual bagpiper was in belatedly to give us his playing of "Auld Lang Syne," a Robert Burns-penned traditional Scottish song most famous for being sung at the stroke of midnight.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | My 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on and in tip-top condition with a healthy head and lacing lasting to the end on this Peterborough-brewed golden ale, from south-east of Leicester, labelled on the pump clip that is attached to its blackboard as a bitter. Indeed, a lightly bittered first hit. A pleasant hoppy bitterness rising aided by its USA-based Mount Hood and UK-based Challenger hops. Not overly fruited at all despite the guvnor's tasting notes suggesting the hops would provide citrus notes. A moreish maltiness getting in on the act to balance its bitterness and dry hoppy finish. Stuck to it apart from one other Oakham as in the Green Devil to end on as it was so good! JHB was the first beer brewed when Oakham Ales was founded in September 1993 and is now brewed with even more hops in on the mix, rising from 0.6lbs of hops per brewery barrel when first brewed to now around 1.5lbs. |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | My 2nd beer of this visit: Also fresh on and very good head and lacing and lasting the course on this Peterborough-brewed Single Hop (Citra) IPA! A markedly fruity first bite. A fruited-infused hoppiness rising from its 100% USA-sourced Citra hops. Tropical fruit flavours bobbing up and balanced with some pleasant maltiness from Maris Otter and Wheat Malt sailing out. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - West Coast Pale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried | I was warned this was rather sweet and sickly! |
31 Dec 2025 (Colin Lacey)
New Year's eve event, surprisingly quieter than expected. Fair range of Cask beers shown. Did not seem to have any keg taps.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | 6.00 | | Success, fresh and full of life. Beautiful clear, crisp taste. Loved it. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 |  | Came up flat, was not very pleasant. |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | | Presented Mill Pond flat, no life and would think it has been around a while. Could not finish. |
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried |
31 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until 2am close. The un-kilted piper arrived around 1am.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Good example of this ale |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | | Rather sweet - a half would have sufficed |
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried |
30 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last half an hour of serving with a mix of some of the regulars and the more occasional. No Tuesday fiddlers again this week out the back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Fresh and so presenting head and lacing but not overly lasting on this Northfleet-brewed bitter from just outside Gravesend. A bitter but also fruited first hit. A gentle bitterness winning through its fruity notes from its English hops used. A hint of honey and toffee flavouring rising aided also by a spiciness. Sliding down with a touch of a fruity kick that any mule would be proud of! Slightly medicinal for my taste buds as perhaps just a tad too fresh! |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
30 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | Loss of condition since Monday's |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Bordering on poor. Little condition or bitterness - did not enjoy |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | Used to enjoy before made to be hazy |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
28 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall but for the Sunday regulars for last hour and a half of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | First day on for this Ramsgate-brewed seasonal pale ale and presenting good head and lacing and lasting. A very fruit-infused hoppy first hit with hints of citrus and grapefruit. A dry hoppy bitterness winning over from its Goldings hops. A slightly sweet malty note sailing out with a pleasant bitterness lingering. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | | This golden ale in the American Pale Ale style from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury, came with good head and lacing and lasting on its 3rd day on. A dry hoppy first hit. A fruity note or two rising from its new world hops, Amarillo, Mosaic and Citra. A dry hoppy flavouring winning over mixed with spicy notes. A citrus-infused hoppiness paddling out with hints of orange zest. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
28 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | First day on and very good head, lacing and condition |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | | This version at 11.5% but did not drink as if that strong. £11 per pint but sold in halves |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | Very surprised to see this still on sale |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried | Came on at end of session for tomorrow's consumption |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
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 |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 724 |
| 1925 |
| 604 |
| 52 |
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 1526 times, seen 1904 different beers and tried 1121 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ