PubsandBeer
History: Home > The River Ale House
The River Ale House (Free House)
[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits] [More Visits]
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold |  | 2 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | | 1 |
| Kent - Prohibition X | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Sparks IPA | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | | 3 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 3 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter |  | 2 |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) |  | 2 |
| Park - Saw Pit | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - JHB | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
31 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until 2am close. The un-kilted piper arrived around 1am.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Good example of this ale |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.90 | | Rather sweet - a half would have sufficed |
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Park - Saw Pit | 4.30 | Not Tried |
30 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last half an hour of serving with a mix of some of the regulars and the more occasional. No Tuesday fiddlers again this week out the back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Fresh and so presenting head and lacing but not overly lasting on this Northfleet-brewed bitter from just outside Gravesend. A bitter but also fruited first hit. A gentle bitterness winning through its fruity notes from its English hops used. A hint of honey and toffee flavouring rising aided also by a spiciness. Sliding down with a touch of a fruity kick that any mule would be proud of! Slightly medicinal for my taste buds as perhaps just a tad too fresh! |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
30 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | Loss of condition since Monday's |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | Bordering on poor. Little condition or bitterness - did not enjoy |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Wealdway IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | Used to enjoy before made to be hazy |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried |
28 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall but for the Sunday regulars for last hour and a half of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | First day on for this Ramsgate-brewed seasonal pale ale and presenting good head and lacing and lasting. A very fruit-infused hoppy first hit with hints of citrus and grapefruit. A dry hoppy bitterness winning over from its Goldings hops. A slightly sweet malty note sailing out with a pleasant bitterness lingering. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | | This golden ale in the American Pale Ale style from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury, came with good head and lacing and lasting on its 3rd day on. A dry hoppy first hit. A fruity note or two rising from its new world hops, Amarillo, Mosaic and Citra. A dry hoppy flavouring winning over mixed with spicy notes. A citrus-infused hoppiness paddling out with hints of orange zest. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
28 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | First day on and very good head, lacing and condition |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | | This version at 11.5% but did not drink as if that strong. £11 per pint but sold in halves |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | Very surprised to see this still on sale |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Winter Wisp | 4.10 | Not Tried | Came on at end of session for tomorrow's consumption |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
27 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Back after a few nights off due to very early closing over Christmas Day and Boxing Day and for last half an hour of now normal times once again of 11pm last orders. Very quiet footfall with just the regular Saturday troop in and just three of the hardened on parade including me. No extras from anywhere tonight. A bitter declared undrinkable by a good few Christmas Eve still on and the Saturday regulars shared a half between them and went no further with it! A stout from Vibrant Forest at 11.5% was tried by one but at £5.50 a half, I, like the many of the few in, resisted it!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Sparks IPA | 4.30 | | Was recommended it by the Saturday regulars who are a discerning bunch. Second day on by all accounts and head and lacing readily evident and lasting on this Essex IPA from Maldon. A dry fruited first hit. A fruity cocktail rising of hoppiness from its US Zappa, noted for its spicy touch among its tropical notes. A subtle hoppy bitterness paddling downwards with a fruited note or two playing this Essex brew out. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Umbral Abyss | 11.50 | Not Tried | Silly strength reflected silly price of £5.50 a half for this New Forest-brewed Imperial Stout. Saw this and left it alone and thankfully as at wine-strength! |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Winter Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried |
24 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Perhaps expected to see higher footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | Good condition, not heavily flavoured |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | | Good condition but did not live up to the tasting notes allegation of double the hoppiness |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | Basic competent golden ale |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | Turned out to be a murk that tasted like unfermented wort. Returned but left on sale |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried |
24 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for Christmas eve. This is compared to earlier years. In my case this was for the last half hour of serving. Christmas Eve last orders used to be always mid-night but now 11pm, the normal last serving bell time. I was aware of this following a regular's e-mail relating to Facebook which I do not subscribe to. Others including regulars arrived too late! Just a table of the hardened in, and all importantly, in time and a few lesser spotted on top.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Now its second day on for this Ramsgate-brewed stout. Head and lacing, only good, and lasting, a real struggle. A malty first bite. The hint of chocolate had gone from its day before. Its dry bitterness prevailing. Still the hoppiness care of its Fuggles hops. A bitter hop or two parachuting down Santa's chimney. Not as good as when on just the day before but still pleasantly drinkable. |
| Mighty Oak - Griffin Gold | 4.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Was recommended this by a fellow regular and was not disappointed. Fresh on was this Essex golden ale from Maldon and very good head and lacing and lasting profusely. A hoppy fruitiness in the first hit. A subtle sweetness rising, being a golden ale, but could not sniff the aromas of mango, lemon and elderflower. A hoppiness pervading from its likely Kazbek hops bred in the Czech Republic but not stated, and known for providing spicy hints and aiding the beer's caramelised fruitiness. A slight maltiness, as alluded to in the guvnor's tasting notes, on its parachuting off Santa's sleigh which turned up and with tasty ales for tomorrow we all hope! |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on this evening but such a shame! I was warned by others who had tried it, not to try it. Apparently according to one, the barrel had been knocked, so disturbing everything inside. A murkiness to die for on this Maidstone dark ale! Sufficiently light-coloured to observe the murkiness. No conditioning whatsoever and so what flavours might have been harbouring there, non-existent. Should not have been served it and on still when others earlier were taking this Best Dark Ale back. The guvnor was not on to be challenged. The staff member on would have obliged had I asked as indeed they did for others served this Best Dark. |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried |
23 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 25 minutes of serving with just a few of the hardened on parade!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 |  | Fresh on and saw others supping it and so had to be done in following their example! Very good head and lacing and lasting with an impressive foaminess presented on top. A roasted maltiness on the first hit. The merest hint of chocolate in its dry bitterness rising. A hoppy note or two winning over from its Fuggles hops, lending it a moreish bitterness to aid its pleasant sailing. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | Second night on for this Ramsgate-brewed pale ale and exhibiting some head and lacing but not lasting and so only a pint on arrival sufficed. A hoppy citrusy first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising afforded by its juicy US hops such as Ekuanot, Simcoe and Simcoe Cryo. Hints of resinous pine joining juicy tropical fruit flavourings from guava and citrus zest emerging before its paddling downwards. |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | Not Tried | Now its fourth night. Was tempted to try it but resisted having enjoyed it on earlier occasions. |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
22 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. At end of session there was a resolved barney outside.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Kazbek Rye Porter | 5.30 | | A fall from yesterday's grace having become flat in the glass |
| 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 | |
| Pig & Porter - Whispering Grass | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Rauchbier | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Viva La Resolution - Golden Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 16 |
| 834 |
| 2246 |
| 772 |
 | 64 |
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 1832 times, seen 2061 different beers and tried 1229 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ