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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter |  | 4 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale |  | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | | 1 |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | | 4 |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | | 3 |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | | 2 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 1 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier |  | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 3 |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale |  | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Castle Rock - Venus in Flares | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Christmas Session | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
22 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A sprinkling of hardened regulars among the odd lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Now the third day for this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling and noticeably less fresh. Head and lacing visible but not overly lasting. A dry hoppy first hit. A bitter hopped dryness pervading aided by its Kentish hops, Goldings and Fuggles. A malty note or two queuing up to slide downwards. The fruity kick felt the night before was gone and like a deflating balloon, its flavours were expiring but still that moreish dry hoppiness lingering. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Now the third day on for this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, with noticeably less head and lacing on being poured and with its lacing not lasting. A bitterness in its first bite. A fruity bitterness rising alongside that same spicy note from its fruity Kazbek hops. Still subtle hints of sherry and porter. A malty fruitiness abseiling out. Other regulars also on it but we were all agreed that it was past its best on just its third day. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Back on from Friday when last seen and supped but not on the guvnor's tasting notes unusually as either on now or coming next. |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
21 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with a handful of Sunday regulars and a few of the more occasional for the last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Second day for this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling and still exhibiting a reasonable head and lacing and lasting. I felt it was perhaps improved on its very fresh beginnings the day before. A very hoppy first bite. A dry bitterness rising with a lively hop or two tap dancing on my palate, aided by those Kentish hops, Goldings and Fuggles. The odd fruity kick felt before its final cascading downwards. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Second day on for this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, with head and lacing still to die for once again. A bitter but mildly fruited first hit with a hint of chocolate leaping up. A dark fruited sweetness emerging with a bitter dryness giving way to a spicy note from its fruity Kazbek hops. A dry, malty flavouring pervading with subtle hints of sherry and porter bobbing up in this fruity concoction. A maltiness tinged with fruitiness hanging on for its final descent. Still very moreish and was proving very popular among other regulars, too! |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
21 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | By far best of the evening |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Soon went flat in glass |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | | Needed more life to carry off this strong flavour |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
20 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good crowd of the Saturday regulars on parade among the hardened and lesser spotted for the last 45 minutes of serving. Just two remaining beers on from the night before as in a Pig & Porter and a Canterbury. The reason for this was that Charlton FC had played at home earlier, beating Oxford 1-0, and so a good few ales were sunk to celebrate that victory.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Fresh on today and exhibiting all the head and lacing you could wish for and lasting superbly on this Birling-brewed bitter from north of West Malling. A very dry hoppy first bite. A hoppy bitterness rising aided by its moreish mix of malts. A fruitiness sailing out aided by its Kentish hops: Goldings and Fuggles. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | Fresh on like the Kent bitter and an impressive foaming top to this Kentish porter, brewed just outside Canterbury at Chartham, and lacing clinging on all the way throughout its stunning performance. A very bitter and mildly fruity first bite from this dark porter. A malty and dark fruited sweetness rising. A bitter dryness pervading with a spicy note leaping up from its Kazbek hops noted for their sweet fruited flavourings, suggestive of pineapple, passion fruit, peach and watermelon. A dry, porter-like, flavouring veering up with a sherry note bobbing along. A dry malty bitterness paddling out. Very palatable indeed! |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Christmas Session | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
19 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good few regulars on parade among the more occasional for the last half hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | Second night on for this Ramsgate-brewed pale ale and still performing well with a good head and lacing sticking to the end. A citrusy first bite with hints of resinous pine. A moreish hoppiness rising aided by such American hops as Ekuanot, Simcoe and Simcoe Cryo. A citrusy-infused slide for Santa down my chimney, aided by its juicy tropical fruit flavourings from guava and citrus zest. |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | This Baltic porter from just outside Hardley, south of Southampton's estuary was now on its third night. Still very good head and lacing with a creaminess still evident on top and lasting. A slightly smoky first hit. Its seven different malts adding to its recurring smoky maltiness. A fruity spiciness rising with hints of biscuity sweetness and touches of toasted bread, coffee, chocolate and caramel. A dry malty bitterness abseiling out. One half again sufficed at 7% and after a good few Gadds' Hoppy Pale Ales. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried |
18 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A good crowd in for the annual Christmas carols put on by a local church choir. Got in at about my usual time of about half-ten. There was an extension way beyond 11pm. Not as many regulars as is normal on a Thursday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Second night on for this Northfleet-brewed bitter from just outside Gravesend and still presenting good head and lacing and almost lasting. A slightly fruited note in its bitter first bite with hints of honey and spice. A dry bitterness clambering up with a degree of hoppiness from its First Gold, East Kent Golding and Admiral hops. Fruity orange and plum notes rising and in tune with the carol singers before climaxing with a good rousing finale of bitterness mixed with toffee malt. |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | Second night on for this Baltic porter* from just outside Hardley, south of Southampton's estuary across Southampton Water. Good head and lacing with a creamy top to it and lasting. A malty first hit from its seven different malts and fermented with house lager yeast. A fruity spiciness rising with hints of biscuity sweetness. Hints of toasted bread, coffee, chocolate, and caramel emerging. A dry maltiness winning over with the odd bitter note abseiling out. One half sufficed at 7% and after a good few Iron Pier bitters! *A Baltic Porter is a strong, dark beer style that bridges the gap between traditional English Porters and Russian Imperial Stouts, emanating from the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea (such as Poland, Estonia and Finland) in the 18th and 19th centuries. |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Came on belatedly to replace Oakham's Original Pale Ale. |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
18 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit with a midnightish extension that I did not fully avail myself of. On my arrival the local carol singers were inside reaching a crescendo.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | | Bordering upon being poor. Murky, tasted incomplete. One other seen sending theirs back |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | | New cask on. A bit fresh |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | Came on late on |
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | Not Tried |
17 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Forest - Crosswinds | 7.00 | | Needed more condition to carry off this 7% stronger ale |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Simply tired |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
16 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
For the last half hour of serving, the usual regulars and the more occasional and out the back, the fiddlers were on mass for their Christmas line-up of songs and carols they were playing and singing along to.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Now its third day on for this Maidstone strong pale ale and still presenting head and lacing. A good hoppy first hit. A healthy kick to it from its slightly fruited hoppiness rising aided by those East Kent hops in on the equation. A gentle hoppy note sailing out with a touch of sweetness on my palate from its Maris Otter malt . Very drinkable as it said on the tasting notes' packet but a half sufficed for me to end on. |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | | Fresh on was this Northfleet-brewed IPA from just outside Gravesend and presenting very good head and lacing and lasting. A very fruited first bite. A tropical fruitiness rising with hints of citrus and pine from its Citra and Simcoe hops. A gentle bitterness winning over accompanied by the odd dry fruited note tap-dancing downwards. |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | | 3rd night on for this Peterborough-brewed pale ale since Sunday when brought on very late that evening and still presenting very good head and lacing and lasting. A lightly fruited hoppy first hit. A gentle fruitiness rising aided by its five USA-sourced hops: Sterling, Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade and Chinook. A dry hoppy, citrusy tanginess abseiling in its final stages. |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | I asked for a taster to see whether this Maidstone-brewed bitter had woken up from Sunday when I first tried it and when it was fresh on. This amber-coloured session ale appeared less murky now on in its third night and tasted palatable enough to then try a pint of it. Reasonable head and lacing to start with but not lasting. A lightly bittered first bite. A fruity bitterness rising and a maltiness winning over. The odd hoppy note detected from Goacher's generally used Kentish hops, comprising Goldings, Fuggles and WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety). A slight medicinal kick on the final mouthful as if to tell me to try something else next which I did. I normally like Goacher's but not this one. |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Venus in Flares | 4.20 | Not Tried |
16 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Average in all respects with a cloying aftertaste |
| Oakham - OPA Original Pale Ale | 4.00 | | Suffering from several days of cellar cooler failure |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | Holding on there |
| Castle Rock - Venus in Flares | 4.20 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 726 |
| 1932 |
| 607 |
| 54 |
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 1532 times, seen 1906 different beers and tried 1123 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ