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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale |  | 1 |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | | 2 |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | | 2 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | | 1 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA |  | 2 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | | 2 |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | | 2 |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | | 2 |
| Elusive - Cronos |  | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at The Hop - | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Miller's Ale (originally 4.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at the Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Elusive - Distant Fog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | Not Tried | 0 |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
04 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall for the last half an hour of serving with just a sprinkling of the Saturday regulars in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phipps NBC - Cobbler's Ale | 4.00 | | Second day on for this East Midlands' Northampton Brewery Company's golden amber-coloured bitter, based on a historic recipe from the 1930s that was then a tribute to Northampton’s local shoe-making industry. Here exhibiting superb head and lacing and lasting the whole way. A very fresh hoppy first hit suggesting it could almost be fresh on and with pronounced caramel and candied orange notes with hints of roasted malt. A dry bitter first hit with a hint of sweetness such as butterscotch from its biscuity and toffee-infused sweetness. A malty bitterness winning over its sweetnesss from its darker standard malts characteristic of pre-WWII session beers. A moreishly dry hoppiness lingering from its traditional English hops lending a hoppy fruitiness. Its biscuity notes playing out. Very quaffable and served in top notch condition! |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - World Hop Series - France - pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Distant Fog | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Front Row - Props Apprentice | 4.50 | Not Tried |
02 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for the last half an hour of serving with some of the hardened on parade among a birthday gathering which filled the place up.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on for this Ramsgate-brewed amber ale/session bitter* with its head lacing still lasting well. A lightly fruited hoppy first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising aided by its Goldings and Fuggles hops. A dry bitterness winning over with a hint of maltiness from its crystal malt lending it a tangerine/amber colouring and a touch of sweetness to balance its heavy hopping. A good Kentish hoppy fruited note sailing out. Top notch and very quaffable. *Originally a one-off brew, it has become a year-round staple thanks to its popularity. |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Third day on and only just hanging onto its head and lacing on being poured but not now lasting on this Tunbridge Wells-brewed porter. A dry hoppy first bite accompanied by a chocolatiness from its roasted grains. A rising dark fruitiness along with the odd hint of aniseed flavouring. Although not listed, it is likely that a mix of traditional and experimental hops were used to aid its bitter hoppiness. Smoked malts lending it a roasted and caramelised flavouring. A sweet fruity bitterness sailing out. A half sufficed as now on its third night; there was a loss of conditioning that aided its tasting when fresh on two days earlier. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Miller's Ale (originally 4.5%) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
02 Apr 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. 70th birthday celebrations here made for a noisy large crowd.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | First full day on tap - good condition that dissipated as pint went down |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | Tired after a few days on |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Miller's Ale (originally 4.5%) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Pacific Islander | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at the Hop | 3.80 | Not Tried |
31 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
A table and a half of hardened regulars out the front among a few of the lesser spotted alongside the fiddlers out the back for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig & Porter - Funky Claude Porter | 5.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and exhibiting superb head and lacing and lasting on this Tunbridge Wells-brewed porter. A dry bitter first hit with a dark fruitiness as in prune alongside aniseed flavouring. While specific hop varieties are not detailed, Pig & Porter generally uses a mix of traditional and experimental hops and so here providing a bitter hoppiness balancing the creamy head it came with. A roasted maltiness aided by its smoked malts lending it caramelised flavourings with hints of dark chocolate and roasted grains. A fruit-infused bitterness sliding downwards. Very moreish but a half sufficed on this visit following the Iron Pier Bitter. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Third night on now and this bitter from the Northfleet-based brewery just outside Gravesend still exhibiting its good head and lacing and nearly lasting all the way. The odd decant needed on a pint and a half ordered before close. A fruited hoppy bitter first hit. A dry bitter hoppiness rising from its English hops, First Gold, East Kent Golding and Admiral. A very pronounced bitter maltiness winning over from its malt mix including Maris Otter lending it honey and toffee notes. A fruity hoppiness with its hints of orange and plum playing out. On better form than when first presented on Sunday evening following its launch just before my visit then as has had time to settle in. |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - First Gold & Columbus Joined at The Hop - | 3.80 | Not Tried |
30 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | | First day on, perhaps a little fresh but hit the mark |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | Not Tried |
29 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for the last 40 minutes of serving with the remnants of a large party of people out the front, mostly preferring to stand. The hardened regulars were in among them and seated around this party’s coats draped all over the guvnor’s highchairs and benches.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Second day on for this Northfleet-brewed stout from just outside Gravesend with its creamy head and lacing lasting most of the way down the glass. A smokiness on its first bite. A dry bitter maltiness dancing on my taste buds from its Maris Otter, Brown, Amber, Roasted Barley, Black, Chocolate, and Dextrin, making it a mix of 7 different malts. A hint of caramelised sweetness and a touch of vanilla in its flavourings. That same dry hoppiness from its Admiral and First Gold hops paddling out. Still in good condition and a pleasure on my palate to sup. |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Very fresh on as in a little before I arrived according to a fellow regular and on this bitter from the Northfleet-based brewery just outside Gravesend. Good head and lacing and almost lasting to the end. A fruited bitter first bite with hints of orange and plum. A hoppy note rising from its spicy English hops, First Gold, East Kent Golding and Admiral. A splash of maltiness from its malt mix including Maris Otter with honey and toffee flavourings winning over. A dry bitter floral note paddling out. Presented in top form. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | Not Tried |
29 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Loud request night music blaring.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | | OK but no real USP. |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | | Nothing like its tasting notes. Hazy and no condition. Real chore to finish |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried |
28 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy for last 45 minutes of serving with lots of small groups in, both front and back, and a few of the Saturday regulars and hardened also on parade.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on today was this Northfleet-brewed stout from just outside Gravesend and presenting very good head and lacing with a cappuccino-style creamy top but not overly lasting. A dark fruited maltiness on the first hit from its 7 different malts. Chocolate and coffee bean aromas rising and inspired by traditional Victorian stout recipes. Subtle hints of sweet vanilla. A dry hoppiness winning over from its Admiral and First Gold hops before its descent. Served in good nick and very moreish to my taste buds. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | 1st beer of this visit: Second day on and still exhibiting a very good head and lacing and lasting all the way on this clear, amber-coloured Kentish bitter from Chartham, 3 miles south-west of Canterbury city centre. A malted hoppy first hit. A very dry malty bitterness rising with a subtle sweetness from its blend of malts including honey malts. A prevailing hoppiness from local varieties such as East Kent Goldings on the slide downwards. Certainly, no fruits harmed in its making as barely a trace of fruitiness. Still in tip-top condition and very quaffable. |
| Pig & Porter - Got The Face On | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Centennial Valley | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Pale Ernest | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - The Importance of Brewing Ernest | 4.20 | Not Tried |
26 Mar 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Quiet footfall with just a table and a half of the hardened among a few of the more occasional for the last half an hour of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | | Now its fourth evening on and still exhibiting a head and lacing and lasting but noticeably less evident than on its second appearance, Tuesday when last tasted, and on this East Peckham copper-coloured amber ale, east of Tonbridge, Kent. A dry bitter first bite aided by its Kentish hops, Northdown, Challenger, Golding and Fuggles, all delighting my taste buds. A hoppy maltiness rising with a fruit-infused herb or two jumping up on my taste buddies aided by its UK-grown malted barley providing a subtle biscuity and caramel maltiness. That same very dry bitterness paddling out on this second night for me but fourth night on for this Tonbridge Coppernob. I managed to leave only 3 pints according to the barmaid in the cask from its launch on Monday. I hasten to add that I have not done nearly all 72 pints in the Firkin as I have been ably assisted by some of the hardened on parade since Monday’s launch. Tired it was, though not tasting flat, but certainly showing its age on its fourth and finale evening. Still a pleasurable experience as neither fruity sweet nor acidic for me. |
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | | A mere half sufficed to end on with this pale on its third evening on from Wokingham-based Elusive Brewery in Finchampstead, Berkshire, and founded in 2016, and a collaborative "mash-up" beer created with Sean Ayling of Tom's Tap, an independent microbrewery and taproom located in Crewe, Cheshire, which opened in 2018. The beer is inspired by two classic West Coast IPAs: Elusive's own Oregon Trail and Sean Ayling’s Whispering Bob recipe. Still holding its head and lacing after being served half an hour earlier. A fruity first hit. Very much a fruited cocktail to shaken up my taste buddies that are more accepting of hoppy and malted flavoured ales. A resinous, bitter character rising among its fruity maltines. Its prevailing hoppiness assisted by its Simcoe and Amarillo, and its dry hopping achieved with Columbus LupoCORE and also Simcoe and supported by the Citra hop. A dry hoppiness battling against its fruity notes on the sailing downwards. Palatable and lasting well since Tuesday but somewhat overly fruited for me. |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | Replaced Elusive's Cronos. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | Not Tried | Ran out during my visit. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Mar 2026 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elusive - Whispering Trail | 6.00 | | Distinctive tasty ale |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Masham Ale (collaboration with Theakston) | 6.50 | | On a few days - tired |
| Elusive - Cronos | 4.40 | | Must have been last out of the cask as taken off sale shortly afterwards |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Grey Trees - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vibrant Forest - Pupa | 4.50 | Not Tried | Came on at very last knockings |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Above Average J.O.E. | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 15 |
| 754 |
| 2036 |
| 656 |
 | 58 |
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 1625 times, seen 1963 different beers and tried 1156 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ