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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider |  | 3 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | | 2 |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | | 3 |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | | 6 |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | | 3 |
| Stancill - Cashmere |  | 2 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Reeve's Ale | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On |  | 2 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - Saw Pit | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | Not Tried | 0 |
| Castle Rock - Assymetry | Not Tried | 0 |
| Park - Amelia | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
08 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for regulars and the lesser spotted for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | Fresh on is this Peterborough-brewed premium golden ale and very good head and lacing on display and lasting. A fruity first bite. A dry fruitiness rising from its USA-sourced Cascade which was pioneering in British brewing at the time of this ale being first launched, lending it citrus and floral flavours, and mellowed by its English Challenger hops. A fruitiness evidenced by hints of grapefruit, peach and oranges and even mango and pineapple in on the act. A biscuity bitterness bobbing up before the final downwards journey. First brewed in 1996 to commemorate William John "Bishop Bill" Westwood on his retirement as Bishop of Peterborough. |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | Third night on for this Bermondsey-brewed bitter and still exhibiting a good head and lacing and lasting. A lightly fruited bitter first hit. A hoppy bitterness bounding up aided by its East Kent Goldings for bittering and US Chinook for aroma. A biscuity and caramel infusion hurtling onto the taste buds. A somewhat sour fruitiness lingering on from its mix of pine and spice flavours and dark fruits. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Fifth night on and still presenting good head and lacing but a few decants necessary in defence of its longevity! This Kingston stout presented a dry malty first hit and aided by a mix of Phoenix, Northdown and Magnum hops. Named after a short story* by philosopher, Bertrand Russell, is this brew in its honour. A fruity knight and a malty knight going to battle to rise. The victor for my taste buds was the dry malty knight hanging on before sliding downwards! There was the dark chocolate and coffee notes to back up my taste buds' reasoning! *The story involves a manipulative individual who sets up an office in a quiet suburb and begins sowing chaos among the residents by playing on their secret desires and psychological weaknesses. In the animated series, South Park, the character, Satan, frequently appears, so giving this ale extra fame from its name, and including in the recent 2025 storylines and involving a satirical relationship with Donald Trump. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
08 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | New cask on today. I can't differentiate between many of the Oakham pale ales anymore. So samey |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | 5th day on and tired and flat in glass |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
07 Jan 2026 (Colin Lacey)
Place was empty. Eight people was the maximum count. A regular couple warned me about the condition of the beer as I approached the bar. They were not wrong. Old, Flat, Lifeless. Tried, as I was told to do this last visit, three different casks. Nothing worth purchasing and if I had, would not have been able to return it.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | | Overheard that Bishops Farewell was not shown, but available, being Fresh I went for a pint. Again this was not Fresh but came up flat and tired. At least I managed a pint. Had high hopes for this venue. But seems to have gone downhill rapidly. |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Not a lover of Park Brewery but this was yet another beer that had obviously been hanging around for a while. Very disappointing. Only sampled. |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | Came up clear, but was again, flat and lifeless. Only sampled. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 |  | Certainly did get a Face On. This was tired, Flat and had a strange hue. Not pleasant. Only sampled. |
06 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busier for the last half an hour of serving than for weeks on a Tuesday with a more complete contingent of fiddlers back from their Christmas holidays and a good few regulars on parade among the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 |  | My first beer of this visit: Fresh on and a very good head and lacing lasting even when the glass had been emptied! This Essex golden ale from Maldon punched a very hoppy first hit. A fruity bitterness rising with hints of mango, lemon and elderflower. A maltiness winning over and so quelling much of its fruitiness. Very moreish! |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | My second beer of this visit: Fresh on and recommended this by a fellow regular. An unexpectedly fruity first kick from this Bermondsey-brewed bitter. A hoppy bitterness climbing up with its US Chinook hops lending it hints of pine. A touch of biscuity caramel in on its malty notes. A spicy hit among the dark fruits in this concoction and all aided by many a subsequent fruity kick any footballer would be proud of! Slightly too fruited for my taste buds! |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | My third beer of this visit: Third night on for this Kingston-brewed stout and not as creamy as when first presented on Sunday. Its head needed it all having a gentle decant to reawaken it. Still that very smoky first hit with spicy notes. A dry bitterness rising from among its hints of dark chocolate and coffee. A slightly hoppy dryness lingering from its Phoenix hops. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
06 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | New cask on today. Basic golden ale tending towards bitterness |
| Iron Pier - Chinook & Comet Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | | Hazy, disappointing with low taste quotient. The Joined at the Hop series used to be the best of the Iron Pier bunch |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Amelia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | Not Tried |
04 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A good few Sunday regulars on parade among the lesser spotted for the last 30 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Fresh on is this Kingston-upon-Thames stout and presenting a fine creamy head and lacing to die for. A pleasantly smoky first hit. A good helping of roasted maltiness rising with hints of dark chocolate and coffee but not overly. A dry bitterness prevailing aided by its Phoenix hops with spicy notes helping its slide downwards. This stout is named after a short story written by philosopher, Bertrand Russell, who lived in Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park in the late 1800s. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | 4th day on and still presenting form with a reasonable head and most of its lacing lasting on this Ramsgate-brewed amber ale. A hoppy first hit. A fruit-infused hoppiness climbing from its Goldings hops. A maltiness getting in on the act from its crystal malt. A dry hoppiness winning over before sliding downwards. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Stancill - Cashmere | 4.10 | Not Tried |
04 Jan 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Sunday themed music requests was "Beer".
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park - Satan in the Suburbs | 4.50 | | Not as full bodied as promised. New cask on today |
| Stancill - Cashmere | 4.10 | | Very little aroma or taste. Some promises of lemongrass |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | Ran out late on |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried |
03 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with the Saturday regulars and a few of the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | Third day on and still presenting very good head and lacing on this Ramsgate-brewed amber ale and lasting. A fruited but malty bitter first hit. A hoppy bitterness competing with its fruitiness arising from its Goldings hops. A dry hoppiness paddling out and proving to be very quaffable. |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Only its second day on for this York-brewed amber bitter, but not tasting as good as when first supped when fresh on Friday evening. Head and lacing evident but not lasting. A bitter and fruity first hit. A malty caramel and toffee infusion rapidly rising but not to my taste bud's approval. It really just tasted too sweet. A fruity note still there with hints of grapefruit and lemon from its New World hops. A dry malty bitterness lingering. One sufficed and it was strange tasting so tired for me just a day on. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Stancill - Cashmere | 4.10 | Not Tried |
03 Jan 2026 (Colin Lacey)
Got here around 5pm. Bar was surprising busy. Families with children and other sociable people. Do seem to like this place, my second visit.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | Did try this first and it was recommended by a regular customer. Had a pint of this. Was told by regulars that the beer quality is very hit or miss situation. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | | This was served surprisingly dead. Have noticed this before with beers in here. No real flavour, quality poor and was told but customer. " Try Before You Buy" Later found this to be a great recommendation as there policy is no refund, "You could have had a Free sample" |
| Stancill - Cashmere | 4.10 | | Bought a half before realising the taste before you buy affair. Did not enjoy and returned most back to the bar. Again served flat and lifeless. |
02 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for the last half an hour of serving with just 5 of the hardened in and 3 of the occasional. "Dry January" is perhaps setting in! If asked what I drink, I reply occasionally at weekends for special occasions and well within the recommended measures!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Fresh on as replaced Canterbury's The Reeve's Ale when I requested my third pint. Superb head and lacing and lasting throughout on this York-brewed amber bitter. Very good head and lacing and lasting and so most definitely had gone through its second fermentation in the barrel. A dry malty first bite. A malty bitterness rising from its no less than 5 different malts with a hint of caramel and toffee but not overly noticeable. A fruity note or two tap dancing on my taste buds aided by its hints of pine, grapefruit and lemon flavourings from its background hoppiness prevailing from its New World hops. A pleasant malty bitterness paddling out with a slightly fruity kick to it from its mix of hops. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Reeve's Ale | 4.10 | | Only two supped as ran out after that. The first bitter from the Chartham-based brewery, south-west of Canterbury, presented good head and lacing and lasting. The second struggled on that front with much head and lacing not lasting. My comments below are only applicable to the first pint supped as flavours were diminishing by the second. A very dry malty first hit from its nutty malts. A hint of tartness rising in its fruity bitterness aided by its berry fruited hops. A lingering dry bitterness evident on its way out. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Assymetry | 4.20 | 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