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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale |  | 2 |
| Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout | | 2 |
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | | 6 |
| Oakham - Hooked Up (collaboration with Hook Norton) | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 4 |
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA |  | 1 |
| Pennine Brewing (Bedale) - Golden Ramble | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | | 1 |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | | 1 |
| Bexley - Feather | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | Not Tried | 0 |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two Flints - Santiago | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Scarecrow | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | Not Tried | 0 |
| Two by Two - Spring Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bexley - Golden Acre | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at the Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
12 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Managed to break a glass when taking my last empty back to the bar counter. Clumsy.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout | 4.40 | | Bulk standard stout. Drank without much noticing |
| Oakham - Hooked Up (collaboration with Hook Norton) | 4.10 | | For 4.1% this was a heavy malty brew thus slow to drink. Lots of life, head and lacing |
| Bexley - Feather | 3.80 | | Pre-warned haziness. Little flavour. Disappointing |
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | 6.00 | Not Tried | Seen with others - a true murk |
| Two by Two - Spring Pale | 4.60 | Not Tried |
11 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A quiet evening with just a sprinkling of regulars among the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | 4.40 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on today was this Nottinghamshire-brewed best bitter from the village of Cromwell, approximately 7 miles north of the historic market town of Newark-on-Trent, and displaying good head and lacing and lasting all the way. A dry bitter first bite aided by its English hops: Challenger, Progress, and Goldings. A prominent caramelised maltiness rising from its bready, biscuity mixture, and likely to be emanating from a mix of Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt and Crystal Malt, the latter lending it, its toffee and caramel notes. A fruited hoppiness prevailing. Its recurring toffee-infusions positively erupting on my palate. A dry but caramelised bitterness swanning downwards. Rather too sweet for my taste buds but served in good condition. |
| Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout | 4.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on was this Tunbridge Wells microbrewery’s* Kentish stout with good head and lacing to start with but not lasting all the way. A dry bitter but chocolatey first hit. A maltiness rising with just the merest hint of coffee but certainly not malty-sweet from its mix of Maris Otter, Roasted Barley, Chocolate malt, Flaked Barley, Oats, Crystal, Caragold, and Black malt. A healthy bitterness coming to the fore with subtle notes of elderberry, blackcurrant and hedgerow fruits aided by its Willamette hops**. Not a substantial mouthfeel by any means with just the faintest of chocolatey flavouring prevailing in its outflow of bitterness heading downwards. Perhaps still a touch too fresh for its head and lacing to have vanished soon after being poured on its first day on and in being rather thin-tasting. *Pig and Porter has been brewing on their own 10-barrel plant since 2013. **This is a classic American aroma hop that was released in 1971 by the United States Department of Agriculture's breeding program in Oregon. It was specifically developed as a high-yielding, American-grown alternative to the traditional English Fuggle hop. |
| Bexley - Golden Acre | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Guava Pale | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Citra Simcoe Ekuanot | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Two by Two - Spring Pale | 4.60 | Not Tried |
09 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A mix of regulars and the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Good head on being poured but its lacing not lasting on this Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale but for a decant as now its 4th day on. A malty bitterness on the first bite. A dry bitterness rising from its mix of UK hops. A maltiness winning over aided by its blend of dark-roasted malts, and Crystal malt imparting its characteristic toffee and caramel notes. Hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices sliding down. Strangely still quaffable. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: 4th day on since Monday and now with only minimal head and lacing and not lasting on this Northfleet-brewed bitter. A dry bitter first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising aided by its English hops including Goldings from Hukins Hops in Kent. Orange, plum, and spicy flavours coming to the fore. A gentle malty note winning over with a biscuity caramel flavouring joining in with hints of honey and toffee from its malt. A hop-infused maltiness playing out with the odd bitter pitter patter downwards. Not bad for its fourth day on but now lacking much of the conditioning that was there earlier in the week. |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Scarecrow | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pennine Brewing (Bedale) - Golden Ramble | 4.10 | Not Tried |
09 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | Stronger ale holding on after some days |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | | Tiring after a few day on |
| Pennine Brewing (Bedale) - Golden Ramble | 4.10 | | Little condition or USP |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Scarecrow | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
07 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A sprinkling of the hardened in among the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving mixed the dulcet tones of the fiddlers out the back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: This Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale presented good head and lacing to start with but not holding onto it on its second day on. A very dry malty first hit. A hoppiness rising from its UK hops with dark-fruited flavours coming to the fore. Its blend of dark-roasted malts lending it a pronounced maltiness. Toffee and caramel flavours alongside hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices emanating from its Crystal malt. A dry hoppiness sticking in the aftertaste before paddling out. Still quaffable but a slight loss of conditioning since the day before. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: This Northfleet-brewed Kentish bitter’s second night on and still presenting a good head and the lacing lasting to the end. A dry bitterness on its first bite. A caramelised biscuity and toffee-infused maltiness rising with hints of honey. A hoppy bitterness winning over aided by its English hops, including Goldings giving rise to hints of orange and plum and mixed with a spicy flavouring. Its fruited but dry bitterness lingering on in its downwards passage. Served in top notch condition having got over being slightly too fresh on, on its first evening and now aided by a generous helping of conditioning on the mouthfeel. |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
07 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit. More fiddlers in the back room than topers in the front room.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | Holding up well since yesterday |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Little condition and odd tasting. Chore to finish |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Two Flints - Santiago | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
06 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A few regulars on parade for the last half an hour of serving and with one of them celebrating their birthday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and presenting very good head and lacing on this Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale. A very malty fruit-infused first hit. A dark-fruited hoppiness rising from its UK hops. A maltiness winning over from its blend of dark-roasted malts. Its Crystal malt imparting toffee and caramel notes with hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices. Not holding its head to the end. Very pleasantly quaffable. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on literally was this Northfleet-brewed Kentish bitter as the bitter I asked for, Phipps’ Cobblers Ale, ran out on being poured for me. Very good head and lacing and lasting all the way on this new one on. A very dry bitter first hit. A hoppy bitterness rising from its English hops, including Goldings from Hukins Hops in Kent, presenting orange, plum, and spicy flavours. A good dose of malt winning over with hints of honey and toffee. A dry hoppiness sailing out with a touch of malty caramelised biscuity flavouring. Very moreish but just a tad too fresh. |
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out on being poured for me! |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
06 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Perhaps a few earlier quiz dog-end attendees still in situ.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick - Black Sabbath | 6.00 | | Full bodied dark, possibly Old Ale style |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | | Tasty but no head or lacing |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | New cask came on very late-on |
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
05 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall no doubt reflecting the great Easter escape (derived from The Great Escape, a World War II film directed by John Sturges and featuring Elmer Bernstein’s iconic musical score, and the motorcycle jump stunt performed by Bud Ekins standing in for Steve McQueen) with a notable Sunday regular absent and so just a table and a half of the hardened for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale | 4.00 | | Now its third day on but still exhibiting a good head and lacing and lasting on this East Midlands' Northampton Brewery Company's golden amber-coloured bitter. From the day before, its caramelised but dry bitter first hit continuing. Its biscuity and toffee-infused sweetness still rising before its malty bitterness wins over. A dry hoppiness persisting from its fruited English hops before its slide out with biscuity notes to aid it. Still quaffable but slightly less conditioning than on the previous evening. |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
05 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Bank holiday weekend Sunday light footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale | 4.00 | | OK but rather bland |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | | Did not find this hop forward as promised |
| Milestone - West Coast IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
 | 800 |
| 2194 |
| 741 |
 | 63 |
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 1775 times, seen 2037 different beers and tried 1206 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ