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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Maris the Otter |  | 2 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best |  | 1 |
| Elusive - Cronos | | 2 |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | | 2 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 2 |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale |  | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | | 2 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | | 4 |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | | 3 |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
29 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for the last 40 minutes of serving with the remnants of a large party of people out the front, mostly preferring to stand. The hardened regulars were in among them and seated around this party’s coats draped all over the guvnor’s highchairs and benches.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | | Second day on for this Northfleet-brewed stout from just outside Gravesend with its creamy head and lacing lasting most of the way down the glass. A smokiness on its first bite. A dry bitter maltiness dancing on my taste buds from its Maris Otter, Brown, Amber, Roasted Barley, Black, Chocolate, and Dextrin, making it a mix of 7 different malts. A hint of caramelised sweetness and a touch of vanilla in its flavourings. That same dry hoppiness from its Admiral and First Gold hops paddling out. Still in good condition and a pleasure on my palate to sup. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Very fresh on as in a little before I arrived according to another regular. Good head and lacing and almost lasting to the end. A fruited bitter first bite with hints of orange and plum. A hoppy note rising from its spicy English hops, First Gold, East Kent Golding and Admiral. A splash of maltiness from its malt mix including Maris Otter with honey and toffee flavourings winning over. A dry bitter floral note paddling out. Presented in top form. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | Not Tried |
28 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy for last 45 minutes of serving with lots of small groups in, both front and back, and a few of the Saturday regulars and hardened also on parade.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | | Fresh on today was this Northfleet-brewed stout from just outside Gravesend and presenting very good head and lacing with a cappuccino-style creamy top but not overly lasting. A dark fruited maltiness on the first hit from its 7 different malts. Chocolate and coffee bean aromas rising and inspired by traditional Victorian stout recipes. Subtle hints of sweet vanilla. A dry hoppiness winning over from its Admiral and First Gold hops before its descent. Served in good nick and very moreish to my taste buds. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | Second day on and still exhibiting a very good head and lacing and lasting all the way on this clear, amber-coloured Kentish bitter from Chartham, 3 miles south-west of Canterbury city centre. A malted hoppy first hit. A very dry malty bitterness rising with a subtle sweetness from its blend of malts including honey malts. A prevailing hoppiness from local varieties such as East Kent Goldings on the slide downwards. Certainly, no fruits harmed in its making as barely a trace of fruitiness. Still in tip-top condition and very quaffable. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | Not Tried |
26 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a table and a half of the hardened among a few of the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | | Now its fourth evening on and still exhibiting a head and lacing and lasting but noticeably less evident than on its second appearance, Tuesday when last tasted, and on this East Peckham copper-coloured amber ale, east of Tonbridge, Kent. A dry bitter first bite aided by its Kentish hops, Northdown, Challenger, Golding and Fuggles, all delighting my taste buds. A hoppy maltiness rising with a fruit-infused herb or two jumping up on my taste buddies aided by its UK-grown malted barley providing a subtle biscuity and caramel maltiness. That same very dry bitterness paddling out on this second night for me but fourth night on for this Tonbridge Coppernob. I managed to leave only 3 pints according to the barmaid in the cask from its launch on Monday. I hasten to add that I have not done nearly all 72 pints in the Firkin as I have been ably assisted by some of the hardened on parade since Monday’s launch. Tired it was, though not tasting flat, but certainly showing its age on its fourth and finale evening. Still a pleasurable experience as neither fruity sweet nor acidic for me. |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | | A mere half sufficed to end on with this pale on its third evening on from Wokingham-based Elusive Brewery in Finchampstead, Berkshire, and founded in 2016, and a collaborative "mash-up" beer created with Sean Ayling of Tom's Tap, an independent microbrewery and taproom located in Crewe, Cheshire, which opened in 2018. The beer is inspired by two classic West Coast IPAs: Elusive's own Oregon Trail and Sean Ayling’s Whispering Bob recipe. Still holding its head and lacing after being served half an hour earlier. A fruity first hit. Very much a fruited cocktail to shaken up my taste buddies that are more accepting of hoppy and malted flavoured ales. A resinous, bitter character rising among its fruity maltines. Its prevailing hoppiness assisted by its Simcoe and Amarillo, and its dry hopping achieved with Columbus LupoCORE and also Simcoe and supported by the Citra hop. A dry hoppiness battling against its fruity notes on the sailing downwards. Palatable and lasting well since Tuesday but somewhat overly fruited for me. |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | Replaced Elusive's Cronos. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | Not Tried | Ran out during my visit. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | | Distinctive tasty ale |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | | On a few days - tired |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | | Must have been last out of the cask as taken off sale shortly afterwards |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | Came on at very last knockings |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
25 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. It's LD time.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | | Zesty mouthfeel |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | | Had heard tremendous rave reviews for yesterday's but was pretty flat today |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | | Uninspiring with little condition |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
24 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Mix of regulars out the front and fiddlers strumming their instruments out the back for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 |  | Second evening on and one of the most good-looking and tasty ales as in this East Peckham copper-coloured amber ale 5 miles east of Tonbridge, Kent, that I can recall this year! A truly foaming head that you rarely see anywhere and lacing lasting spectacularly throughout its performance. A dry hoppy first hit. A fruited hoppiness rising from its blend of Kentish varieties including Northdown, Challenger, Golding and Fuggles. A hoppy fruit-infused display on my taste buddies with fruity, herbal and spicy notes and balanced with UK-grown malted barley lending a biscuity and caramel maltiness. A dry moreish hoppiness paddling out. Its unique live yeast strain originally from the historic Barclay Perkins Brewery* in Southwark lending it all the authenticity of a classic old ale. One of the best sampled this year in every way and missed it on its premier evening but perhaps all the better for its extra settling in a day on! *The Barclay Perkins Brewery was a historic, formerly world-largest brewery, and based in Park Street, Southwark. It was established in 1616 as the Anchor Brewery. Taken over by Robert Barclay and John Perkins in 1781, it was renowned for Porter and Russian Imperial Stout. It merged with Courage in 1955, closed in 1986, and was redeveloped into housing, leaving only a small plaque and Anchor Terrace as remnants of the site. |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
23 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Virtually just a small band of regulars in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | | New cask on today, good condition but no idea quite what the ale was supposed to be |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Was very good yesterday but lost almost all condition today |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | | 2nd ale tonight that had lost almost all condition since yesterday's |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | Not Tried |
22 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Music just a volume too high.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Tastiest Gold Star I have had here for a long time |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | | 6.5% heavy that hardly seemed that strong on taste but had good full body |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
22 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Moderately busy footfall for the last half an hour of serving with a table of hardened regulars and a small party of occasional veteran drinkers alongside the odd lesser spotted.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | | Fresh on and very good head and lacing evident and lasting throughout its liquid performance from Thornbridge Brewery founded in 2005 and now at the Riverside Business Park, Buxton Road, Bakewell, south-east of Manchester, and a collaboration with Theakston Brewery, an independent, family-run brewery founded in 1827 and located in the market town of Masham, North Yorkshire, and one of Britain's oldest established family brewing companies, currently run by the fifth and sixth generations of the Theakston family. This collaborative strong ale with a deep amber to reddish-mahogany hue reimagines a Theakston recipe using Thornbridge's unique Burton Union fermentation system*. A fruited sweetness rising from its exclusive use of Fuggles hops, lending it earthy, herbal and spicy flavours and hints of raisins, dates and prunes. A gentle maltiness winning over from its blend of the finest English malts, including Maris Otter and Crystal malt for colour and sweetness lending it cinder toffee, referring to honeycomb/puff candy, a brittle, aerated confection with a bubbly texture, and caramel flavourings. The odd fruity note constantly bobbing up with hints of dark berries, apricots, and a touch of "sherry-like" sweetness. A touch of liquorice maltiness sliding downwards for me aided by its layers of toffee, toasted brown sugar, and biscuits leading to a dry, lingering sweetened bitterness. Served in top condition on its first day being hatched. *This historic wood-barrel system dating back to the 1800s was rescued and installed at Thornbridge's Riverside Brewery in early 2024 after being retired by Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC). The Burton Union is a cleansing system for aiding the yeast to produce bright beer where in the process it flows back down into the barrels by gravity, while the excess yeast is trapped in the trough, effectively "cleaning" the beer and allowing for the harvest of high-quality yeast for future brews. |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Second day on, and a long day being Sunday as open from 1pm, with good head and lacing and now lasting to the end on this Yorkshire English bitter. Still a very dry bitter first bite. Still the same gentle maltiness rearing up. A bready biscuit, fudgy caramel and toffee hint or two on my taste buds. Its Maris Otter barley alongside four other malts prevailing. A good dose of citrus, grapefruit and pineapple from its New World hop varieties with 3 or 4 types from the US and NZ lending it that fruited hoppiness. A malty bitterness lingering. Much more palatable than on the evening before. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
21 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with a table of Saturday regulars on parade among the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Fresh on and good head and lacing but not lasting on this English bitter brewed by Brew York, a craft brewery based in York*. A dry bitter first bite. A gentle maltiness rising with bready biscuit, fudgy caramel and toffee flavourings from its Maris Otter barley, a celebrated heritage malt that turned 50 years old in 2016, the same year Brew York was founded, and alongside four other malts. A fruited hoppiness winning over from its New World hop varieties with three or four types from the US and NZ lending it subtle layers of citrus, grapefruit and pineapple. A bitter maltiness sailing out. Perhaps a touch too fresh to be at its best but drinkable enough. *A real otter resides in the River Foss directly behind the brewery's city-centre beer garden; the brewery named him Maris. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 15 |
| 752 |
| 2031 |
| 653 |
 | 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 1619 times, seen 1959 different beers and tried 1154 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ