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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') - No. 5 |  | 2 |
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star |  | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kelham Island Easy Rider | | 1 |
| New Bristol - The Joy of Sesh IPA | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Katzenjammer | | 1 |
| Tonbridge - India Pale Ale | | 3 |
| Wantsum - Montgomery (was SS Richard Montgomery) | | 1 |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | | 3 |
| Kelham Island (probably brewed by Thornbridge now) - Easy Rider | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | | 2 |
| Black Sheep - Blonde | | 1 |
| Ilkley - Pale |  | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | | 1 |
| Southwark - Honey'd Brown Ale | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 2 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Green Mountain | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Island Life | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Shine On | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Revolution - Orbital | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nuttycombe - Cotleigh Springer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Riverwood | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
04 May 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | | Lacked most of the tasting notes' promised attributes |
| Southwark - Honey'd Brown Ale | 5.60 | | Reasonable taste but little condition |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Wantsum - Montgomery (was SS Richard Montgomery) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Revolution - Orbital | 3.50 | Not Tried |
03 May 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
For last hour of serving, minus many of the usual Saturday regulars but it was a May Day bank holiday weekend and so they are forgiven! But still a few of the hardened regulars on parade! Charlton FC played at home today and some of their fans had been in earlier and so not a drop of what was on yesterday evening remained on this evening for this last hour of serving. They must have been very thirsty! I cannot recall all the beers changing from one evening to the next and when 6 were on yesterday!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Fresh on was this third ale of the evening. All beginning to follow a pattern now. Charlton FC played at home today and some of their fans who were in earlier had drunk all Friday's ales, including my favourite Brew York bitter that only came on belatedly on Friday evening! This Maidstone pale ale I was now sampling was presented with very good head and lacing and lasted throughout. A sweet hoppiness was in the first hit. A dry hoppy ale from those East Kent hops came to the fore but sweetish and lingering from that Maris Otter malted barley flavouring and so reminding me of that lovely Maris The Otter bitter that first came on the night before and was entirely quaffed earlier and before I had the chance to return to enjoy it. |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | | Yes again, fresh on! Came with good head and lacing on this Essex mild from Maldon. A very dry malty first hit. A bitterness and maltiness colliding in the mouthfeel. A hint of liquorice flavouring, no doubt also aided by my savoury sausage roll alongside this. This one also uses Maris Otter malts alongside some others to remind me again of that lovely bitter fresh on last night and quaffed by many others in earlier today. A dry bitterness lingered to make me recall that bitter once again that I enjoyed so much yesterday evening. |
| Wantsum - Montgomery (was SS Richard Montgomery) | 4.00 | | Another Thanet-based brewery was this one after the Gadds' pale bitter just tried. This APA brew comes from St Nicholas At Wade, south of Birchington-on-Sea and between Herne Bay and Margate. Fresh on today and presented good head and lacing and stayed the course. A hoppy fruit-infused first hit. Positively a fruity firework display on the taste buds. Described as an amber best bitter in the tasting notes, it came at you with citrus hits from those exclusive American hops used. The fruity fireworks continued into its aftertaste! One sufficed for me! |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | 3.80 | | Fresh on but minus head and lacing after a momentary appearance on being first served and on this Kentish pale bitter from just outside Ramsgate. A hoppy first hit followed by a bitter, deriving from those Goldings hops, and a fruit-infused hoppiness from its Fuggles hops rising up in the mouthfeel and lingering. |
| Southwark - Honey'd Brown Ale | 5.60 | | You have guessed it! Also fresh on was this Southwark-based brown ale. Minimal head and lacing from the start! Its first hit and it was like a sherry. A dry bitterness managed to shine through all the caramel and toasted malt flavourings in the mouthfeel. This all lingered on with the odd hints of berry flavouring joining this circus act. Only a half sufficed as far too sweet for my liking! |
| Elusive - Riverwood | 4.60 | Not Tried | Also fresh on today. |
| Dark Revolution - Orbital | 3.50 | Not Tried | Also fresh on today. |
02 May 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Many a Friday regular in among the more occasional for last 30 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew York - Maris the Otter | 3.90 | | Fresh on, and almost literally, was this Yorkshire-brewed bitter and presenting very good head and lacing and lasting throughout. A malty bitter first hit. A malty mouthfeel derived from its five different malts and a wonderfully hoppy bitterness from no less than three varieties of New World hops, the collective name for those from America, New Zealand and the southern hemisphere. A pleasantly malty hoppiness persisting in its moreish aftertaste. Only this was supped on this visit as quite simply it was the best! |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Shine On | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nuttycombe - Cotleigh Springer | 3.90 | Not Tried |
01 May 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
The busiest I have seen this micro since the Thursday before and for last 30 minutes of serving with many regulars in and the more occasional alongside.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | Second night on for this Ramsgate-based brewery's best bitter and exuding very good head and lacing. A malty bitterness in the first hit. A malty mouthfeel from those six different malts that have gone into its making and a hoppiness rising up in their midst from four different hops. A slightly sweetish toffee-flavoured aftertaste with hints of red berry and spiciness from the odd blackcurrant. Very moreish and in tip-top condition for my taste buds. |
| Black Sheep - Blonde | 3.70 | | Went for it as never had a Black Sheep on cask before. Holding its head and lacing well on its second night on was this North Yorkshire pale. A sweetish and hoppy first hit. A medicinal kick derived from its bitter grapefruit flavourings in the mouthfeel and a pleasant hoppiness lingering from its Celeia, Cascade and Amarillo hops. I would always have it in its bottled form in Harry Ramsden's fish and chips restaurants and the Riggwelter, a dark strong ale at 5.9%, and a term used for where a sheep has rolled onto its back and is unable to get back up. Thankfully you stand more chance of getting back up with their Blonde. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kelham Island Easy Rider | 4.30 | | Recommended by a fellow regular and this Derbyshire pale came with good head and lacing on its first night on. A very fruity first hit. Fruit-infused flavourings in the mouthfeel from citrus, peach and passion fruit and a hoppiness rising up and lingering from 4 different hop varieties, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook and Citra. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Shine On | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried |
01 May 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Finished off with a Snails Bank Toffee Apple cider!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | So much better than the No. 3 earlier this week |
| Kelham Island (probably brewed by Thornbridge now) - Easy Rider | 4.30 | | Unexpected light haze |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Shine On | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Blonde | 3.70 | Not Tried |
29 Apr 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Sparse in front room, usual Tuesday fiddlers in back room.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | First day on and quite flat |
| Tonbridge - India Pale Ale | 4.80 | | On a few days and all condition now lost |
| New Bristol - The Joy of Sesh IPA | 4.20 | | Minimal head and lacing |
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Katzenjammer | 4.50 | Not Tried |
29 Apr 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with just a handful of regulars out the front and a similar number of fiddlers in the rear.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - India Pale Ale | 4.80 | | Reasonable head and lacing to start with on this Tonbridge IPA from East Peckham in Kent and now on its fourth day. A dry oily first hit. A hoppy kick in the mouthfeel from those fruit-based infusions in the hops and a dryness living on. |
| New Bristol - The Joy of Sesh IPA | 4.20 | | Fresh on with good head and lacing to start with was this Bristol IPA. A hoppy first hit. A mildly citrusy fruitiness presented itself on the taste buds from those Mosaic and Citra hops. A dry hoppiness lingered on. |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Fourth night on and still presenting reasonable head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit on this Peterborough-based porter and perhaps even a slight sourness. Not much chocolate on the scene although described as a chocolate porter in the tasting notes. A very dry bitter maltiness lingering from those 7 malts involved in its making. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | Its first night on and so possibly still just acclimatising as tasted a touch fresh. Perhaps the head and lacing will come the following day as what was presented quickly melted away! An oil-based hoppy first hit. A hoppiness lingered from those Goldings' hops grown just down the road from Gadds' brewery outside Ramsgate. This pale made it to the finals in 2017 of Champion Beer of Britain and let us hope this one improves by its second day on. |
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Katzenjammer | 4.50 | Not Tried |
27 Apr 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with just some of the Sunday regulars out.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | | Second night on for this Essex amber bitter from Maldon and still presenting very good head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit. A moreishly hoppy bitterness rising up from those New Zealand hops and lingering. |
| Mighty Oak - Katzenjammer | 4.50 | | Fresh on today and so good head and lacing presented on this Essex pale from Maldon. A dry hoppy first hit. A gentle fruitiness hit the mouthfeel and a dry hoppiness persisted. |
| Ilkley - Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - India Pale Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Green Mountain | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Island Life | 3.70 | Not Tried |
27 Apr 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - India Pale Ale | 4.80 | | One of the best Tonbridge pints I have had in a long time |
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Good but a half was enough |
| Ilkley - Pale | 4.20 | | Lacklustre |
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Green Mountain | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Island Life | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Katzenjammer | 4.50 | Not Tried |
26 Apr 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Many a Saturday regular in for last 40 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Black Magic Cask Aged | 5.00 | | Also fresh on today and presenting its head and lacing very well with much creaminess. Although this Peterborough-based ale is described as a chocolate porter, there is but the merest hint of such. Very much instead a malty explosion in the mouthfeel with some 7 different malts running riot on the taste buds. Maybe just the tiniest hint of chocolate in the dry maltiness lingering. |
| Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | | Fresh on today and very good head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit on this Essex bitter from Maldon. A moreish maltiness coming to the fore and a dry bitterness persisting. |
| Ilkley - Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - IPA | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Green Mountain | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Island Life | 3.70 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 11 |
| 674 |
| 1638 |
| 474 |
 | 38 |
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 1296 times, seen 1797 different beers and tried 1045 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ