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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA |  | 2 |
| Leatherbritches - Amarillo | | 1 |
| Five Points - Railway Porter | | 2 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | | 2 |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | | 1 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Porter | | 1 |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | | 1 |
| Five Points - Best | | 4 |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout |  | 3 |
| Park - Saw Pit |  | 1 |
| Anspach & Hobday - Hop Pickers' Harvest | | 1 |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs |  | 1 |
| Five Points - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - Amelia | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Hook Island Red | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Cathedral Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Myco - pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Pendulum | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
18 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | Overly malty for Best Dark |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Porter | 6.70 | | New cask on today. Good condition but less of a powerful hitter than I expected |
| Five Points - Hook Island Red | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cathedral Gold | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Myco - pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
17 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over for the last hour of serving with some of the usual Saturday regulars, the very last remnants of the Charlton FC supporters literally on their way out of this tiny micro on my arrival, and a few of the lesser spotted as always who between them very rarely manage to miss a single day's trading. Charlton FC on this Saturday playing against another team in their own Championship league more fairly and won against Sheffield United 1-0.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on was this Maidstone-brewed extra special bitter and very much the better for it after its most recent earlier appearance and in the run-up to Christmas when not quite drinkable alongside another from the same brewer, a pale by all accounts, also on but which I managed to escape. Exhibiting good head and lacing and lasting. A malty bitter first bite. A hoppy fruited bitterness rising aided by its East Kent Golding hops. Hints of biscuit and caramel. A chewy maltiness emerging from its crystal malt not making it at all easily drunk in a race. A close-run contest between the hoppiness and maltiness but the malty notes for me the victor. A slightly fruity kick on its final passage out. |
| Five Points - Railway Porter | 4.80 | | 2nd beer of this visit: 3rd day on and still reasonable head and lacing but not lasting on this East London porter from Hackney. Still a smoky first bite. A good measure of maltiness rising. The odd roasted coffee note with caramel hints emerging. Still the red fruitiness assisted by its cocoa-powder and mocha (a coffee espresso with steamed milk and chocolate). Aided by its East Kent Golding hops, a good hoppy bitterness winning over and sailing out. |
| Five Points - Hook Island Red | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Pendulum | 3.80 | Not Tried | Expired during my visit. |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cathedral Gold | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Myco - pale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
15 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over for the last half an hour of serving with some of the hardened regulars in among the odd lesser spotted.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Railway Porter | 4.80 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Also fresh on and displaying very good head and lasting to the very end on this East London porter from Hackney. A malted and smoky first hit, and the latter smokiness any railway porter back in the steam days no doubt would have felt at home with! The merest hint of dark bitter chocolate rising in its maltiness from its seven, no less, different malts. Also a roasted coffee note climbing up with hints of caramel but not overly. A red-fruited, for me, flavouring aided by its cocoa-powder and mocha (a popular coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk and chocolate) notes. A moreish hoppiness sailing out and admirably assisted by its East Kent Golding hops. Trust Friday's early opening does not mean it has been entirely supped before my next visit! |
| Leatherbritches - Amarillo | 4.50 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on this evening and head and lacing lasting superbly on this golden ale brewed in Smisby, north of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Derbyshire, and for anyone still lost, north-east of Birmingham. A dry bitter but ever so slightly fruited first hit. A healthy hoppiness rising from its Amarillo, and so-named as in this pale ale, and Jester hops. I did not get, thankfully, the hints of grapefruit, spice and tropical fruits that are reported to be a feature! A dry hoppy fruitiness paddling out but pleasingly, not over-fruited in the least! Very moreish so stuck to it apart from a porter to end on! |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | Now its fifth night on since Sunday and last sampled by me on its third night. |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | 3.80 | Not Tried |
14 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling | 5.20 | | One of first out of new cask put on late evening. Condition good but strange backtaste which endeared it to no one sitting at my table |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | | Flat as the proverbial pancake. Suggested taking it off further sale but no go |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
13 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a handful of regulars, a few fiddlers playing in the rear and the odd occasional in on the scene and for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Its third night on for this East London best bitter from Hackney and still presenting a head and lacing and lasting. I asked after its welfare and the barmaid kindly checked on its remaining lifespan and assured me there were still a good few pints to go. As each pint is poured, a clicker device to count what is remaining in each barrel is activated. A very bitter first hit but not quite as fruited as on Sunday when first on. A gentle touch of grassy, herbal flavouring competing with its maltiness rising with hints of biscuit and caramel. A dry bitterness sailing out with a hoppy note from its Kent Fuggles prevailing. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Tempo | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
12 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Never my favourite Goacher's - it always lacks an oomph factor. This was a new cask on and a bit fresh still |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Still drinking well |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
11 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Usual Sunday regulars in among a few of the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | Fresh on today is this East London best bitter brewed with all-British ingredients in Hackney. It appeared on after last orders the night before. So suitably second-fermented in its barrel since then and presenting very good head and lacing and sticking to the glass like a limpet. A dry bitter but slightly fruited first hit with a grassy, herbal flavouring. Its fruited bitterness rising with hints of biscuit and caramel from its mix of malts including Amber Malt and Crystal Medium/Light Crystal. A moreishly hoppy bitterness winning over from its Kent Fuggles hops from the award-winning Hukins Hops farm in Kent. Very moreish and so stuck to it! |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | Not Tried |
11 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Great clarity |
| Five Points - Best | 4.10 | | An always reliable Five Points ale |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | | Not over chillied but near the mark |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
The earliest time I have visited in a good while, shortly after 9.30pm, and quiet footfall during a very late home-game at Charlton FC on a Saturday. Kick-off was as late as 8pm. It was not good for Charlton in the Championship League playing against Chelsea in the Premiership with a 5-1 loss sustained in the FA Cup 3rd Round. I managed to beat those interested fans' return to this modest micro from my outing to Sevenoaks.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Fresh on was this Maidstone-brewed pale amber bitter with very good head and lacing and lasting. A fruited first hit. A bitterness rising assisted by its WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety) and East Kent Golding hops. A good helping of fruitiness seeing this bitter out but with a malty aftertaste prevailing. It was first introduced as "Maidstone Light" in 1984 and a year after Goacher's Brewery was set up. |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | | Fresh on by all accounts and very good head and lacing presented and lasting on this Yorkshire-brewed pale from Osset, a market town to the east of the cathedral city of Wakefield. It was released as a seasonal autumn beer and the final instalment in the series*. A very fruited first hit. A touch of bitterness rising from its primary hop, Barbe Rouge, a French variety known for its floral and sweet flavours. A fruitiness winning over with hints of strawberry, raspberry and a light floral touch. Its bitterness sailing out aided by hints of citrus-like orange and lime zest. *Other beers in the series have featured hops from the USA, the UK and New Zealand. |
| Anspach & Hobday - Sea Salt & Chilli Stout | 6.40 | | Fresh on and attracted to a good stout I am and with its head and lacing evident and lasting on this Bermondsey-brew. I omitted to read its write-up also on the blackboard containing sea salt and chilli. Had a sample first and it passed my taste buds' scrutiny. A half only ordered and only a half of a half did my so-called discerning taste buds then allow me after that. I sacked my taste buds on the spot but they kept telling me they were right to get me to buy a half in the first place. Of course, there was more to taste as a result. I then came to the decision it was not at all for me and it is not like me to leave even a half of a half. Not quaffable for me in the least! It was dominated by the chillies giving it a certain fruitiness according to the tasting notes. It also contained cacao nibs, lending flavours of chocolate but the chillies wiped that out for me. For those who like to detect their hops, Bramling Cross and Summit were involved but for me not a single hoppy note could I detect above the chillies. I recall this being on before but many months ago and so giving it a wide berth after no doubt also trying just a half. Thankfully, this has been only its first return for me! I will not be trying this again if I can help it! Simply not my cup of tea! |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | It ran out within about 20 minutes of getting here and even before the Charlton FC fans' return from the Valley home ground match. |
| Iron Pier - Perry St Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | Did not used to be as hazy-looking from my observations of what others were faced with. |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jan 2026 (Colin Lacey)
Fairly busy with some faces I recognised. Joined in with Rick, Alice & Chris. Nice people have spoken to Rick before who warned me about the try before you buy policy in here. Chris & Rik said no other beer worth drinking than the "Green Devil" and took their word for it.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | This was fresh and very pleasant, was told that they usually have the cask aged version, which due to poor house keeping is dead by the next day. Hopefully this should still be good for my visit tomorrow. |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | | Can't see the point in this brewery. I mat be missing something, but this was bland, lifeless and not pleasant. Only sampled. |
| Anspach & Hobday - Hop Pickers' Harvest | 4.00 | | Supposed to be fresh on today, small head, glazed and lifeless. What is going on with this place. "Bishops Farewell" was new on yesterday and has gone. Locals obviously know what to drink. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Had a sample in case it was another firkin. But NO, still the same rubbish that was served yesterday. |
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