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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Silver Star |  | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Strawberry Lane | | 3 |
| Five Points - Best | | 3 |
| Siren Craft - White Tips | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | | 5 |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | | 1 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 2 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur |  | 3 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Krush | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Crouch Vale - Amarillo | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Orie | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
15 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet for last 30 minutes of serving with just a handful of regulars in among a few more occasional. The fiddlers, the few there were, had already stopped playing out the back and so finishing early for the second week running.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | | Second night on and so presenting good head and lacing and lasting. A hoppy fruit-infused first bite on this Maidstone-based pale ale. A dry hoppy fruitiness rising and a dry hoppiness, emanating from its Kent Fuggles, lingering. |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Now its third day on. Had a taster first to check it was not too flat following Sunday's third one going that way. Looked and tasted ok. So bravely went for a pint followed by another. Head and lacing was restored since Sunday and lasted reasonably well with just the odd decant on the second one towards the end. A fruit-infused bitter first bite on this Hackney best. A fruity hoppiness rising up, aided by its Fuggles' hops. A hint or two of caramel-infused biscuity maltiness surfacing. A bitter fruitiness lingering with the odd fruity kick from the mule. |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
13 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Very good but have had better |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Could have done with more natural carbonation |
| Mighty Oak - Strawberry Lane | 4.30 | | Only mildly strawberry flavoured. Principally a flat half |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | Must have everlasting life |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Orie | 4.30 | Not Tried |
13 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Not at all busy for last 35 minutes of serving with just a few of the Sunday regulars in, mixed with the hardened, and a couple playing cards but not "strip poker" as seemed to keep their necessary attire on at least despite it being another steamy evening! This micro was a former knickers' shop after all but they did not quite reach that level in their game!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Very good to start with was this East London bitter from Hackney but by the third one ordered, its head and lacing had somewhat scarpered. Tasted the same did the third one and so not a case of mistaken identity in what was poured. A bitter first bite throughout all of them. A hoppy bitterness rising, aided by the Fuggles' hops from Huskins, a 120 year-old family hop farm. A pronounced fruitiness lingering among its hint of maltiness care of Maris Otter, Wheat Malt, and Light Crystal and Amber. Much decanting necessary for a semblance of a head and lacing on the third one. |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA Cask Aged | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Orie | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Strawberry Lane | 4.30 | Not Tried |
12 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 45 minutes of serving with many a hardened regular in among the more occasional, including a large party occupying the rear room. Someone even brought in a caged hamster-like creature! It takes all sorts! My hound was fully occupied slumbering after a daytrip to Broadstairs to even notice.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Strawberry Lane | 4.30 | | Its second day on for this Essex-based pale from Maldon. Hanging together a lot better than its counterpart in timing, the Iron Pier Bitter. Presented again with good head and lacing and which lasted almost as only a few decants became necessary towards the end. A hoppy fruit-infused first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising with the suggestion of the odd strawberry note bobbing up and down. A dry hoppy fruitiness lingering on. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Only its second night on was this bitter from Northfleet, just outside Gravesend and very minimal head was presented. Lacing non-existent and so it lasting is far from applicable. Still tasted ok with a very bitter first bite. A hoppiness rising from its English hops but not a lot of malt in the mix to help give it any body. A very watery taste and not a lot was left to linger on account of this. One sufficed again and a shame all round for this being the case on only its second night on. |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Orie | 4.30 | Not Tried |
11 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with just some of the Friday regulars in among a few more occasional on this very sultry summer evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Fresh on and came with good head and lacing on this Northfleet bitter from just outside Gravesend. It struggled to maintain it. A very bitter first bite. Not a lot of malt was evident as quite a thin-tasting bitter. A hint of hoppiness rising from the English variety involved. The merest whisper for my taste buds of honey and toffee. A very dry bitterness lingering. One sufficed for me. |
| Mighty Oak - Strawberry Lane | 4.30 | | This was recommended to me and could see the head and lacing lasting on others' pint glasses to help persuade me and its first day on. This Essex pale from Maldon did not disappoint. Very good head and lacing and lasting well. A fruit-infused hoppy first bite. A hoppy fruitiness rising up with just the merest hint of strawberry flavouring. Would complement a bowl of strawberries and cream very well! A dry hoppiness lingering with the odd fruity kick being thrown up by this mule of a pale. |
| Crouch Vale - Amarillo | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried |
10 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - White Tips | 4.50 | | Worth a try but not to my taste |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | | Milk shake looking beer with light citrus. I should known to avoid from just the beer name |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Just about holding on |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Well past its best but no off flavours |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | As enduring as the Gravesend's iron pier after which I imagine it is named |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
10 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving but with only a handful of regulars on parade on this sultry summer's evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Fourth night on for this Maidstone bitter cross-breed (their Fine Light mixed with their Best Dark): head and lacing, good but lasting, fair. A dry bitter first bite. A dry biscuity-flavoured maltiness rising up among the odd hoppy note or two. A dry bitterness lingering on with a touch of caramel in the mix. Not as fresh as my first tasting of this bitter two nights earlier but still palatable and looked more the ticket after a few decants. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - White Tips | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
09 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. More unrecognised faces than recognised ones tonight.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Initial head and lacing soon dissipated |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Last legging |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | Still trucking |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried |
08 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving on this usual fiddlers' night in the backroom of the micro. This gathering with its usual gusto had not quite happened. Just a few hardened regulars out the front who you could count on one hand. I quizzed the odd fiddler or two leaving early from the backroom which had remained deathly silent. They explained they had played extensively at a function the day before so many were resting their instruments along with their weary selves and with just a few turning out this evening and finishing earlier than usual.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 |  | Do like Goacher's ales from Maidstone and must have tried this bitter from them before but could not recall quite when that was. Not a fan of their Fine Light which is their light bitter as lacking a certain flavouring for my picky taste buds. Goacher's explains that their Fine Light session ale has WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety) which comes with herbal and floral flavours, and East Kent Golding hops. Perhaps it is the herbal flavours I am not such a fan of. But this one, on its second night on, was superb in every way. It came with very good head and lacing and this lasted throughout and as if showing other beers how it can and should be done. A very moreishly dry bitter first bite. A dry hoppiness winning through and positively shining. A very pleasantly dry hoppy bitterness lingering on with a hint of a biscuity malty note or two alongside the merest touch of a caramel infusion. The tasting notes for this Special House Ale explain that this ale is actually a mix of their Fine Light and Best Dark and first brewed as a one-off but was so well received, it has now become one of their regular ales. So pleased Goacher's has done this and this has certainly put the oomph in the Fine Light for me! Goacher's explains that their Best Dark bitter has a full-bodied maltiness in it and is packed with crystal malt meaning there are biscuit and caramel hints. I cannot, but must, then wait to try their Best Dark as that sounds rather tasty, too! |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
07 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Light footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Basic bittering |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Perhaps just a tad better than yesterday |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 14 |
| 727 |
| 1935 |
| 610 |
 | 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 1536 times, seen 1907 different beers and tried 1125 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ