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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Pale |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | | 1 |
| Oakham - JHB | | 2 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | | 1 |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown |  | 5 |
| Oakham - Ernest | | 3 |
| Vocation - Not My First | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | | 4 |
| Bexley - Redhouse | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best Bitter |  | 1 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dorking - Stanza - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - XPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Snake Eyes Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Urban Haze | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Ernest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Zingiber | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Tasman (collaboration with Two Flints) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
23 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A mix of the usual Saturday regulars on parade among a few of the occasional for the last hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on and still served with a good head and lasting lacing on this Peterborough-brewed golden beer. A lightly fruited first hit. A dry hoppiness rising from its US Mount Hood behind its citrus notes and UK Challenger behind its bitterness. A lightly zesty fruitiness winning over. Subtle sweet caramel hints bobbing up from its Maris Otter. A dry hoppy fruited finale. Still served in top condition and ably quenching my first. |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Now its fifth day on for this East London-based brown Ale from Hackney and so was going to let it be but for a fellow regular extolling its tastiness and theirs still exhibiting good head and lacing. Likewise my half of it came with head and lacing and hanging on to the end. A demerara-infused first bite. A hoppy bitterness with hints of elderberry and red berries still delighting my taste buds. Its US Willamette hops lending it a citrusy hoppy bitterness. Its British barley and Golden Naked oats providing a maltiness in its slide down. That same hint of hazelnuts in its final lingering bitterness and as also picked up upon by a fellow regular and mixed with damp cedar, herbal and spicy touches. Hanging on in there on its fifth day on and aided by it being a member of the dark beer family and which seem to have extra longevity unlike a lot of lighter-coloured beers. Not yet without conditioning or flat-tasting but certainly less mouthfeel than on Tuesday when fresh on. |
| Kent - Zingiber | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Tasman (collaboration with Two Flints) | 6.00 | Not Tried |
22 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A rare Friday evening visit for me now for the last half an hour of serving but made a good pitstop after attending the very busy second day of the SE London CAMRA beer festival and being held for the 3rd time in recent years at the Dulwich Hamlet football club. An opportune catch-up with some of the Friday-only regulars was afforded.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | Fresh on and served with a very frothy head and lasting lacing on this Peterborough-brewed golden beer called Jeffrey Hudson Bitter in full and named by the brewery after Sir Jeffrey Hudson, born in Oakham, Rutland, in 1619, and the inspiration for their very first beer because his "modest size was more than made up for in character," and the brewery’s metaphor for a light, low-ABV at 3.8% bitter with a punch of hoppy flavour*. A dry hoppy first bite from its US Mount Hood behind its citrus fruitiness and UK Challenger behind its bitterness. A lightly fruited hoppiness rising with citrus zest flavours and subtle hints of sweet caramel in its underlying maltiness aided by Maris Otter. A dry hoppy fruited finish. Served in top condition and very thirst-quenching. *Hudson stopped growing in early childhood and was famously known as “Lord Minimus”. He stood at just 3 feet 6 inches tall. He became a national celebrity in being served up inside a cold, large pie during a lavish royal banquet. With the crust cut open, he stepped out much to the amusement of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. They took him into royal service without hesitation! |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Ernest | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Snake Eyes Pale | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | Not Tried |
21 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a table and a half of hardened regulars on parade for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Its third day on for this East London-based brown Ale from Hackney and still presenting a very good head and lasting lacing but not as creamy as when served on Tuesday. A sweetened bitter first bite. A malty sugary fruitiness rising aided by its demerara. A hoppy bitterness joining in with fruity notes from its hedgerow fruits, elderberry and red berries. A citrusy hoppy bitterness winning over from its US Willamette hops. Damp cedar, herbal and spicy flavours coming to the fore. A malty bitterness sliding down aided by its British barley and Golden Naked oats. A hint of hazelnuts in its final lingering bitterness. Still served in good condition but a touch less mouthfeel than on Tuesday. |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Third day for this Peterborough-brewed Single Hop Pale and still exhibiting a good head and lasting lacing. A dry hoppy first hit. A fruit-infused hoppiness climbing up aided by its UK hop variety, Ernest, named after Professor Ernest Salmon, and its flavours emanating from a typical New World hop with apricot and citrus hints hitting my taste buds. Thankfully not to overly fruited for me and touch of spice in on the act. Its subtle fruitiness prevailing in its sail downwards. Still served in good condition but with a lesser mouthfeel than when fresh on Tuesday. |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Its second day on for this West Sussex russet-brown best bitter. Brewed on Mackley Industrial Estate in Small Dole, roughly 8 miles northwest of Brighton and Hove, and where its brewery was set up in 2012, it came with head and lacing but not lasting. A very dry bitter first bite. A caramelised biscuity presence rising on my taste buds with a somewhat overpowering toffee flavour then pervading. Its maltiness derived from its Extra Pale base malt, Caramalt, Crystal 150, Munich, Vienna, and a touch of Roasted Barley in on the mix. Its hoppiness emanating from a blend of British hops and a European and US hop. Admiral and Challenger, are its UK varieties; Perle from Germany and Galena, an American hop, noted for its blackcurrant flavours. It seemed minus conditioning and a touch flat-tasting. One sufficed. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Snake Eyes Pale | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Urban Haze | 4.50 | Not Tried |
21 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Best | 4.10 | | Toffee flavour dominated and poured completely flat. Chore to finish |
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | | Lost condition since last sampled |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Snake Eyes Pale | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Urban Haze | 4.50 | Not Tried |
19 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busier than usual on a Tuesday for a long while with a mix of the hardened regulars and the odd lesser spotted. Even the fiddlers were still strumming their instruments at this late arrival time of half past ten or thereabouts and marking the first time I have heard them still playing at this time for a month or more.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: This East London-based brown Ale from Hackney also presented a superb head. It was positively creamy and lacing the sides of the glass in its performance all the way down. A malty sweet first hit aided by its lashings of demerara sugar. A malty bitterness climbing up with hints of fruitiness in on the act such as from hedgerow fruits, elderberry and red berries, and the merest dash of citrus. A hoppy bitterness winning over from its US Willamette hops exuding earthy notes with touches of damp cedar, alongside herbal and spicy flavours. Aided by its British barley and Golden Naked oats tantalising my taste buds, a malty bitterness saddling out with a hazelnut or two joining in for good measure with a very pronounced final bitter note lingering. Served in very good nick and so another was in keeping! |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on this evening was this Peterborough-brewed Single Hop Pale and displaying very good head and lacing and lasting throughout. A lightly fruited first hit. A hoppy fruit-infused bitterness rising from its UK hop variety, Ernest, that assumes New World flavours including apricot and citrus but quite subtle methinks and mixed with a sprinkling of spice. Not too overly fruited in the least for my taste buds’ disapproval. A lasting hoppy fruitiness lingering. Served in top condition with a great mouthfeel about it. |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 |  | A taster told me it was deceased! |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Not My First | 5.20 | Not Tried |
19 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Good Tuesday footfall in front room and the fiddlers' backroom.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Brick Field Brown | 5.40 | | One of Five Points's best ales |
| Oakham - Ernest | 4.00 | | Lively pint but same old citrus taste. Odd back-taste |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Not My First | 5.20 | Not Tried |
17 May 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Not My First | 5.20 | | Good condition but just plain citrus stuff |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Disappointing with little condition or mouthfeel |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | Will it last forever? |
17 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for the last half an hour with just a sprinkling of two tables of the Sunday hardened in but for a few odd lesser spotted very belatedly.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Presented on its second night on with good head and lacing on this Maidstone-brewed amber-to-classic copper-brown hued Kentish bitter and a cross between Goacher’s Fine Light and Best Dark. A fruited bitter first hit from its floral hops. A rising bitterness with a hoppy fruitiness prevailing from its 100% whole Kentish hops, sourced from local farms with a combination of East Kent Goldings lending floral and smooth bittering notes, and Whitbread Golding Variety (WGV) or Fuggles aiding a pleasant earthy, woody, and slightly fruity spice to the finish. A sweet, bready and lightly toasted malt base entertaining in a brief encounter my taste buds with a biscuity touch in its finale. Its caramel sweetness aided by its Maris Otter barley, sourced from traditional floor-maltings like Warminster Maltings, and Crystal malt alongside deeply roasted chocolate and black malts sliding down my gullet. Served with a head but not overly keeping it and slightly lacklustre in conditioning for only its second day on. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | A fellow regular recalled it has been on for a good week by now and indeed from my records, it came on Saturday 9th May, making this day its ninth. |
| Vocation - Not My First | 5.20 | Not Tried |
16 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall with just a few of the Saturday regulars and hardened on parade for the last three quarters of an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | A cross between Goacher’s Fine Light and Best Dark, this was fresh on literally as was unveiled as I got to the bar. Presented with good head and lacing on this Maidstone-brewed amber-hued Kentish bitter. A bitter but fruity first bite. A hoppy fruitiness persisting and derived from is exclusively whole Kentish hops. Its East Kent Goldings behind its floral bitterness; its Whitbread Golding Variety (WGV) or Fuggles behind an earthy woodiness with the odd spice thrown in for good measure. The momentary encounter with its malts lending a sweet, bready, biscuity and lightly toasted touch. Maris Otter barley, sourced from traditional floor-maltings like Warminster Maltings, aiding its caramel sweetness, alongside a Crystal malt and roasted chocolate and black malts apparent on its slide downwards. Served in good condition as fresh on but perhaps just a tad too fresh having been woken up from its slumber before my arrival literally. |
| Bexley - Redhouse | 4.20 | Not Tried | Ran out as I arrived to the bar for my first drink. |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dorking - Stanza - Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
14 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with the regulars and the odd lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second day on and presented with a good head and lasting lacing on this Maidstone pale first produced in 2008 to celebrate Goacher’s 25th anniversary. A dry hoppy first bite. A fruitiness climbing up. A lingering fruity hoppiness from its Fuggles hops. Served in top form and very moreish! Sadly it ran out after trying just one! |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | 4th beer of this visit: Fresh on and very good head and lasting lacing presented on this Single Hop IPA. A dry hoppy first hit. A fruited hoppiness rising with tropical and citrus hop flavours coming to the fore. A hoppy bitterness prevailing before sailing out aided by a touch of maltiness from its Maris Otter and Wheat malts. Served in top notch form with great conditioning. A touch too fruity for my taste buds but no reflection on its quality here. |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Fresh on was this East London pale from the Hackney brewery set up 2013 and here presented with very good head and lasting lacing. A not overly fruited first bite. A lively hoppiness rising from its Amarillo, Cascade, and Citra hops sourced from the West Coast of the USA. A fruitiness winning over with resinous pine, grapefruit, lemon peel, and tropical fruits all descending on my taste buds. A hint of malt for good measure from its Maris Otter, Pale Cara, Munich, and Wheat lending an underlying bready, sweetness. A dry hoppiness prevailing. A dry fruited hoppy finale. Superb conditioning and served in very good nick. |
| Bexley - Redhouse | 4.20 | | 1st beer of this visit: Possibly its fourth night on for this Erith-based ruby bitter and still presenting good head and lacing but not overly lasting. A malty first hit. A rising bitterness from its English Goldings behind its earthy, floral-honey and spicy notes, and Challenger hops behind its citrus-marmalade and cedar woodiness. A maltiness winning over from its Crystal malts with biscuit and caramelised toffee flavourings. Slightly astringent and with a lack of conditioning noted. A tad tired methinks. |
| Five Points - XPA | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Hell Bent Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dorking - Stanza - Pale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 764 |
| 2112 |
| 679 |
| 59 |
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 1677 times, seen 1992 different beers and tried 1172 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ