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The River Ale House (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Vale - Electric Sheep |  | 1 |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | | 3 |
| Church End - Fallen Angel | | 1 |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | | 2 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | | 4 |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | | 3 |
| White Rose (Sheffield) - Stairlift To Heaven | | 1 |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | | 1 |
| Monkey - Sea Wall |  | 1 |
| Bexley - Spike Island | | 2 |
| Milestone - Cromwell Golden Extra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Jungle Juice | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | Not Tried | 0 |
| 360° - Session IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vocation - Sun Drift | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
06 Sep 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last hour of serving with just a few regulars among the more occasional in. The barman explained that it had been busier earlier.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Rose (Sheffield) - Stairlift To Heaven | 4.30 | | I cannot recall coming across a White Rose ale before. It was set up in 2007 and sharing premises with Sheffield Brewery. In 2008 brewing had moved to Little Ale Cart. Then White Rose brewed in Mexborough at premises with Imperial Brewery before moving in 2018 to its own premises using a new seven-barrel plant. This Mexborough-brewed straw coloured pale ale, from south-west of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, presented good head and lacing as fresh on today and its lacing lasted throughout. A mildly fruited and hoppy first hit. A good dry hoppiness rising with a hint of citrus. A fruity dry hop or two sailing out. Not overly infused with flavour I thought for 4.3% and being just its first day on. |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 |  | Surprised to see it still on and now on its fifth day. The barman gave me a taster first and told me there were only about 4 pints remaining in the cask. This micro opens at 12 noon on Saturday unlike at 4pm Monday to Thursday and from 2pm on Friday and so even more amazed still on. Head and lacing, now poor, and holding it, not a chance. This Berkshire bitter from north-west of Finchampstead and south-west of Wokingham presented a dry bitter first bite. Its lip-smacking crispness all gone as indeed all life in it. Still the odd fruity note there in among its hoppy bitterness. The biscuity, caramelly malt now far less pronounced. All conditioning gone and no punchiness left. Doing its best to hang onto its dry Cascade hoppiness. Only just palatable and so moved onto what everyone else was on, too, and a fresh one on today! |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cromwell Golden Extra | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Jungle Juice | 3.50 | Not Tried |
05 Sep 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with a stalwart of the local CAMRA branch holding their 80th birthday. They had done a few other micros earlier by all accounts from about mid-day with a good party of friends and many still here at the finale drinking hole. Many a musical record in honour of his love of Radio Caroline was being played including this station's outgoing theme at the end of each broadcast early on which was Jimmy McGriff's jazz standard, "Round Midnight". Radio Caroline was the British pirate radio station founded in 1964. It was set up at first to circumvent the record companies' control of popular music broadcasting in the UK and the BBC's radio broadcasting monopoly. The station never became illegal as such due to operating outside any national jurisdiction. But the Marine Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 made it illegal for a British subject to associate with it. It successfully operated using five different ships with three different owners from 1964 to 1990, and then via satellite from 1998 to 2013. Since August 2000, Radio Caroline has broadcast via the internet and by the occasional restricted service licence.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | | Now the fourth day on and I say day since this micro opens at 2pm on Friday unlike at 4pm Monday to Thursday. Surprisingly, still holding its head and lacing well and lasting to the end. This Berkshire bitter from north-west of Finchampstead and south-west of Wokingham presented a very bitter first bite. Not as good a lip-smacking crispness about it as when tried the evening before. A fruity hint pervading its moreishly hoppy bitterness. Still a biscuity, caramelly malt or two leaping up. Not the same conditioning as on its premier night or third night but still exerting a good punchiness. A lasting dry hoppiness care of its Cascade hops. Palatable enough to still stick to it! |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cromwell Golden Extra | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Jungle Juice | 3.50 | Not Tried |
04 Sep 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Once again busier footfall than over recent weeks for a change and for last 40 minutes of serving with a good sprinkling of regulars in among the less regular
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | | Fresh on was this Essex mild from Maldon. Head and lacing though presented on being first served went AWOL shortly after. Taste-wise, it was a very dry bitter first hit aided by its Challenger hops. A dry maltiness, from its Maris Otter Pale, Crystal and Black malts, rising alongside its hoppy bitterness and both prevailing before sailing out to sea. |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | | Third night on and still holding its head and lacing well and lasting to the end is this Berkshire bitter from north-west of Finchampstead and south-west of Wokingham. As on Tuesday when fresh on, a very bitter first bite. A good lip-smacking crispness about it with a fruity touch shining through its moreishly hoppy bitterness. A hint of biscuit and caramel-infused maltiness rising. Holding onto its conditioning well but a tad thinner to my taste buds than two evenings earlier. Its Cascade hop-infusions giving it a lasting dry hoppiness. Extremely moreish once again and so I stuck to it apart from a half of mild to end on! |
| Church End - Fallen Angel | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried |
04 Sep 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church End - Fallen Angel | 5.00 | | Professional brew, well conditioned with enduring head and lacing |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | | Too little condition |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | | Not much idea what this ale is supposed to be. Amateur feel about it |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried |
03 Sep 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | | Usual old citrus pale. Yawn |
| Vale - Electric Sheep | 4.30 | | Basic undistinguished Citra hop offering |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Monkey - Sea Wall | 4.20 | Not Tried |
02 Sep 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Very busy footfall for a change for last 30 minutes of serving with a few regulars in among the more numerous occasional. Even one of the many fiddlers out the back was back with us after a good month's absence.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 |  | Fresh on and a welcome appearance after the recent Anspach & Hobday's The Ordinary Bitter hanging on since last Friday. This Berkshire bitter, from north-west of Finchampstead and south-west of Wokingham, presented much lively appeal. Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, superb with not a single decant required throughout its premier night's performance. A pleasantly very bitter first bite. A very mild fruitiness rising but a dependable moreishly hoppy bitterness pervading with a hint of maltiness joining in with biscuit and caramel flavouring to boot. A tasty dry hoppy bitterness playing out and making my lips smack open and shut with its great dry hoppy qualities lent by its touch of Cascade dry-hop at its climax before sailing down my hatch. Extremely moreish and so could do no more but remain stuck to it! |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vale - Electric Sheep | 4.30 | Not Tried |
01 Sep 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Heart & Soul | 4.40 | | New cask today - good condition. Not my type of beer as pretty rabid lemon juice |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | 4.20 | | Condition good. Best of the evening |
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | Sat flat in glass with no condition left |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | Not Tried |
31 Aug 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with just a handful of regulars in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | Fresh on this Sunday was this Essex Citra Pale from Maldon with the micro open from 1pm. Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, good. A fruit-infused first bite. A dry hoppiness aided by lashings of Citra and winning over its fruitiness emanating from hints of passion fruit, nectarine and orange peel. A touch too full of a citrusy note for me personally and veering up from the citric acid found in these fruits but its dry hoppiness made it sufficiently moreish to carry on in the face of a few others that had been on for a good few days. |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| 360° - Session IPA | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | 4.20 | Not Tried |
31 Aug 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013) | 4.20 | | Basic citrussy hop based job |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | 4.20 | | Lively, good head and lacing |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | | Ultra cloying with little condition. Had this so much better before |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| 360° - Session IPA | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
30 Aug 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with many a regular on parade alongside the less regular.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anspach & Hobday - The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | 2nd night on for this Bermondsey bitter. Head and lacing, good. Lasting, good. A lightly bitter first bite. A gentle dry bitterness rising with a fruity note or two joining in. The merest hint of a malty sweetness coming to the fore with a biscuity caramel-infused flavouring. A dry hoppiness playing out aided by its US Chinook hops. |
| Castle Rock - Brian Clough | 4.20 | | 2nd day on for this Nottingham-based pilsner-style pale brewed to celebrate the best manager England never had. Head and lacing very good. Lasting, good. A fruited hoppy first bite. A dry bitterness rising and a good fruitiness kicking in with floral and herbal notes. A pleasant hoppy bitterness sailing off. |
| Bexley - Spike Island | 5.30 | | Good head and lacing but not quite lasting on only its second day on, on this Erith-based dry stout from the neighbouring Bexley borough. A coffee-infused first bite. A malty explosion then erupting onto my taste buds and pervading throughout. A dark chocolatey dry bitterness sailing off. |
| Oakham - Endless Summer | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| 360° - Session IPA | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Vocation - Sun Drift | 4.60 | 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