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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - TSB Special Brew |  | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | | 3 |
| Kent - Hygge | | 2 |
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | | 3 |
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | | 3 |
| Kent - Frostbite | | 3 |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Caravan (was 3.6%) | | 3 |
| Brew York - Keras |  | 1 |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | | 3 |
| Kent - Prohibition X | | 3 |
| Castle Rock - Mysterons | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Rainbow's End | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Oregon Trail | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Everytime | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Canopy Series Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
11 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy with regulars and the less frequent for the last 30 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | | First night on for this High Brooms-brewed porter, north-east of Tunbridge Wells, with a good creamy head and lacing lasting. A malty and dark chocolatey first bite complete with a moreish smokiness from its roasted grains and Beech smoked malt. A good hoppy note from its Columbus and Fuggles hops rising. Hints of sweet sherry in on the concoction alongside dark fruit, prune and aniseed. A dry bitterness intermingling with its six different malts lingering. |
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | 3.80 | | 2nd night on for this winter session pale ale from just outside Hebden Bridge, north-east of Manchester, and presenting very good head and lacing and lasting. A hoppy but juicy tropical fruited first bite from its Rakau, Mosaic and Citra hops. A gentle bitterness rising in among its fruitiness. A good assortment of fruity notes including from zesty citrus and ripe stone fruit playing out. |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | | Its 3rd night on and less murky than when 1st on Tuesday. This Manchester-brewed bitter, going west of the city centre to Salford, presented some head and lacing but not overly lasting. A very bitter first bite. A hoppy sharpness rising from its Cascade, Ekuanot and HS EXP hops, the latter an experimental hop variety. A lemony hint pervading the mouthfeel. A bitter but sour note winning over and lingering. As on Tuesday, just one pint sufficed as for me not quite my ideal bitter. |
11 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | | Initial poured head dissipated very quickly |
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | 3.80 | | Poured flat |
| Kent - Frostbite | 5.00 | | Poured flat in glass |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried |
10 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Beer range really not much to my palate tonight so moved on swiftly.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | | Good but little body |
| Kent - Frostbite | 5.00 | | Had developed a vicious bitterness overnight |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | 3.80 | Not Tried |
09 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
In for the usual last 30 minutes of serving only to find serving until midnight due to Charlton FC's evening home match, losing 2-1 against Middlesbrough. Busy at all tables at the front and with the Tuesday fiddlers in residence out the back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | 4.30 | | 3rd night on and still displaying a good head and holding its lacing throughout. A mildly fruity first hit from this Yorkshire pale from south of Leeds. The brewery was set up in 1998 by ex-Tetley brewer, Bob Lawson. A hoppy fruitiness rising from its US hops used: Citra, Mosaic and Cascade. A citrus flavouring lingering but not overly to make it too much of a challenge to have another to follow. It was much liked by others who recommended it to me. It ran out after I had sufficiently supped it. |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | | Fresh on but minus head and lacing on this Manchester-brewed bitter, going west of the city centre to Salford. A mildly fruity first bite. It had a hazy appearance and did not really have a bitterness that you would expect from such a named ale. Somewhat lemony and not really hoppy despite being made with Cascade, Ekuanot and HS EXP hops. The latter hop is likely to be from an experimental hop variety that is still in the testing phase of a breeding program. Such hops are identified by a code until they are officially commercialised and given a marketable name. One pint sufficed as minus any conditioning as perhaps on too early. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | Came on very belatedly. |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Keras | 3.50 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | 3.80 | Not Tried | On very belatedly. |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Kent - Frostbite | 5.00 | Not Tried |
09 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until a later midnight close, later as a Charlton Athletic FC fans post-match crowd was in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Winter Bloom | 3.80 | | Came on at very last knockings, really on for tomorrow but I snapped up a half. Basic citrus no less and no more, |
| Kent - Frostbite | 5.00 | | Lively basic citrus job |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 |  | Poured unexpectedly cloudy and a chore to finish |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | Came on at last knockings |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Keras | 3.50 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | 4.30 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out |
08 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Busier than usual cribbage team crowd.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | 4.30 | | Good condition - as good as yesterday's |
| Pig & Porter - Caravan (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | | Bordering on poor, flat. Soon reached end of cask |
| Brew York - Keras | 3.50 | | Poured flat, no condition |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | | Tolerable |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried |
07 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over for the last half an hour of serving with the regulars and the more occasional on parade.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Caravan (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | | Second day on for this bitter from High Brooms, north-east of Tunbridge Wells, and punching out more flavour than when fresh on, on Saturday, and with good head and lacing and lasting. A very bitter first hit. A good maltiness from its 5 different malts climbing up, alongside caramel and toffee flavours dancing on my taste buds. A gentle bitter hoppiness, aided by its East Kent Goldings and First Gold hops, paddling out accompanied by the odd faint tangerine note. |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | | This Kent-based brewery's winter stout, brewed in Birling, north of West Malling, presented a good head but the lacing was not overly lasting. A roasted malt or two in its first bite. A bitterness rising among its malts and a hint of spruce and pine on my palate care of its meandering through the woods and not to forget the merest touch of the odd dark chocolate bear hanging off a branch or two! |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | | This extra strong Kent Prohibition American Pale Ale from north of West Malling marked this Birling-based brewery's 10th year for brewing this ale. Very good head and lacing presented and lasting. It was billed to have double the hoppiness. Not sure that it was any more hoppy than the usual strength Prohibition at 4.8% but it was certainly more fruity in its first bite. A hoppiness gently rising from some of the latest US hops involved. Dried citrus fruits pervading alongside hints of pine, resin and spice. Rather overly fruited for me I decided as it made its downwards exit. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried |
07 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | | Not a stout really to my taste |
| Ossett - World Hop Series USA | 4.30 | | A lively mouthfeel |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | | Disappointing - I would expect more of a 10th anniversary ale. Just a sourish citrus brew and definitely not the promised "double the hoppiness" |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Caravan (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried |
06 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last hour of serving with a mix of the Saturday regulars, the hardened and the more occasional in. Out of six ales on the "On Now" list on the tasting notes, only one remained on arrival with five from the "Coming Next" list brought on. Charlton FC played at home against Portsmouth but the game was abandoned very early on due to a fan taking ill while spectating the match and needing to be hospitalised.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Caravan (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | | Fresh on with a good head and lacing almost lasting to the bottom of the glass of this High Brooms' brewed bitter from north-east of Tunbridge Wells. A very malty first bite. A dry bitterness rising with a gentle malty note bobbing up with hints of caramel and toffee flavours. A fruitiness veering upwards with tangerine hints from its English Ale yeast. A very malt-infused hoppy bitterness chugging out aided by its East Kent Goldings and First Gold hops and 5 malts. Packed a good punch above its weight at just 3.4%. |
| Mighty Oak - Maldon Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Rainbow's End | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Cosmic Jellyfish | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried |
04 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last half an hour of serving with a mix of the hardened regulars and the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | | 4th night on and still very good head and lacing and lasting on this Maidstone-brewed strong ale and named after the original gravity of this barley wine. It has been brewed every winter since the brewery was launched in 1983. A dry bitter but slightly fruited first hit. A maltiness rising but not overly so, alongside a hint of sherry sweetness and marmalade flavours advancing. A touch of black treacle evident on its malty descent. Certainly greatly more quaffable than the Tonbridge Special Brew (TSB) despite it being 6.7%. I would not have guessed its strength readily. |
| Tonbridge - TSB Special Brew | 4.60 | | Second night on for this East Peckham special brew, north-east of Tonbridge. A dry bitter first bite. A spicy bitterness rapidly climbing with a good maltiness winning over with hints of treacle toffee and dried fruits. A healthy bitterness prevailing and a malty note giving directions on its descent. It has the consistency of a good soup which is no doubt why it took me almost 45 minutes to devour 2 pints. Certainly not quaffable for that reason and one of the slowest at this time of day to sink down for a long time! Strangely palatable it was though. |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Lumina | 4.20 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Elusive - Oregon Trail | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Everytime | 3.80 | Not Tried | Came on belatedly. |
| Vibrant Forest - Canopy Series Golden Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Mysterons | 4.10 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
 | 754 |
| 2039 |
| 660 |
| 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 1629 times, seen 1964 different beers and tried 1157 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ