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The River Ale House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale |  | 5 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | | 4 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 1 |
| Oakham - Krush | | 2 |
| Five Points - Railway Porter | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | | 2 |
| Siren Craft - White Tips | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | | 4 |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale |  | 1 |
| Five Points - Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Mesmerist | Not Tried | 0 |
| Salopian - Cypher | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - First Brew: Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
10 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving but with only a handful of regulars on parade on this sultry summer's evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Fourth night on for this Maidstone bitter cross-breed (their Fine Light mixed with their Best Dark): head and lacing, good but lasting, fair. A dry bitter first bite. A dry biscuity-flavoured maltiness rising up among the odd hoppy note or two. A dry bitterness lingering on with a touch of caramel in the mix. Not as fresh as my first tasting of this bitter two nights earlier but still palatable and looked more the ticket after a few decants. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - White Tips | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | Not Tried |
10 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Craft - White Tips | 4.50 | | Worth a try but not to my taste |
| Outhouse (cuckoo at Jolly Boys') - Session Juice | 3.40 | | Milk shake looking beer with light citrus. I should known to avoid from just the beer name |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Just about holding on |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Well past its best but no off flavours |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | As enduring as the Gravesend's iron pier after which I imagine it is named |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
09 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. More unrecognised faces than recognised ones tonight.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Initial head and lacing soon dissipated |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Last legging |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | Still trucking |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried |
08 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Very quiet footfall for last 30 minutes of serving on this usual fiddlers' night in the backroom of the micro. This gathering with its usual gusto had not quite happened. Just a few hardened regulars out the front who you could count on one hand. I quizzed the odd fiddler or two leaving early from the backroom which had remained deathly silent. They explained they had played extensively at a function the day before so many were resting their instruments along with their weary selves and with just a few turning out this evening and finishing earlier than usual.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 |  | Do like Goacher's ales from Maidstone and must have tried this bitter from them before but could not recall quite when that was. Not a fan of their Fine Light which is their light bitter as lacking a certain flavouring for my picky taste buds. Goacher's explains that their Fine Light session ale has WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety) which comes with herbal and floral flavours, and East Kent Golding hops. Perhaps it is the herbal flavours I am not such a fan of. But this one, on its second night on, was superb in every way. It came with very good head and lacing and this lasted throughout and as if showing other beers how it can and should be done. A very moreishly dry bitter first bite. A dry hoppiness winning through and positively shining. A very pleasantly dry hoppy bitterness lingering on with a hint of a biscuity malty note or two alongside the merest touch of a caramel infusion. The tasting notes for this Special House Ale explain that this ale is actually a mix of their Fine Light and Best Dark and first brewed as a one-off but was so well received, it has now become one of their regular ales. So pleased Goacher's has done this and this has certainly put the oomph in the Fine Light for me! Goacher's explains that their Best Dark bitter has a full-bodied maltiness in it and is packed with crystal malt meaning there are biscuit and caramel hints. I cannot, but must, then wait to try their Best Dark as that sounds rather tasty, too! |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - Citrus Pale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
07 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. Light footfall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | | Basic bittering |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Perhaps just a tad better than yesterday |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
06 Jul 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Had much much better |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | | The bold flavours lingered long |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | | Basic citrus with little life |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | Not Tried |
06 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with mostly hardened regulars in and joined by the odd Sunday regular.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | | Others in were raving about this Peterborough-based pale and so curiosity nearly killed this cat! It came with exceedingly good head and lacing and lasting. A hop-infused fruity first hit. A hoppy fruitiness just kept rising on my palate from the new US hop variety that it is named after. Like a good mule, it was leaping up with a very stubborn fruity kick about it aided by its citrus-orange infusions and tropical fruits such as guava. Blow me down, its fruitiness just kept sailing on with the odd berry or two and stone fruit bobbing up and down. Only a half sufficed for me, my hearties, as not quite my cup of tea or rum when at sea! |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | Fourth night on really and still some head and lacing to start with on this amber best bitter from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury. It quickly lost this and so many decants became necessary. A dry malty first bite. A moreish bitterness rising. A dry bitter hoppiness lingering alongside the odd malty note or two playing out. It turned out that this bitter did not see out the following evening and so proved greatly more popular than a bitter before it which took the best part of week. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried |
05 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Ticking over with a few of the Saturday regulars on parade among the more occasional for last 45 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | First night on officially but we have been given the odd pint or two of this since Thursday evening, and just one on Friday. Sill good head and lacing presented and lasting, good. A dry malty first bite on this amber best bitter from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury. A gentle bitterness rising up on my palate alongside the merest hint of caramel. A very moreishly bitter dryness prevailing. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Back - Citra | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Krush | 4.40 | Not Tried |
04 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
A cluster or two of the more occasional regulars in among the hardened for the last 30 minutes of serving.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | | Now the third night on for this Essex golden pale ale from Maldon. Head and lacing, still good, and lasting, still fair. A dry hoppy first bite. A citrusy note or two still playing. But it has developed a citrusy kick to it that may score many a goal but was somewhat out of the blue for my liking. Mildly fruity otherwise and lingering with the odd hoppiness pervading. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | Second day supposedly on but not advertised as on, on a blackboard until too late as just after 11pm as on, was this amber best bitter from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury. Not as good as its tasting the night before. Was offered it after first bell and as only one pint maximum. Its head and lacing, still good. Lasting, good. A bitter first bite. A malty bitterness rising up and a moreish honey-infused dryness lingering. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Five Points - First Brew: Pale Ale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Back - Citra | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | 4.40 | Not Tried | Very unusual for a bitter, as only ever one on at a time, still to be on, and on its 7th day. |
03 Jul 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for last 30 minutes of serving with a mix of regulars on parade among the more occasional.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Best | 3.70 | | Fresh on, not advertised on a blackboard yet, was this amber best bitter from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury, and so very good head and lacing to die for and clinging onto the sides of the glass like a limpet. A dry bitter first hit. A hint of fruitiness rising up, with a gentle sweetness aided by its honey malts, and lingering in its moreish bitterness. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Third night on for this Maidstone-based strong pale ale. Head and lacing and holding onto it, fair. A hoppy bitter first bite. Its hoppiness gently rising up aided by its English hops. A bitterness prevailing and a sweet maltiness sailing off into the sunset. |
| Five Points - Railway Porter | 4.80 | | Now its sixth night on and so about to hit the buffers in terms of being at its all-time best for this Hackney porter. Some head and lacing still prevailing and lasting. A dry bitter first bite with a hint of roasted coffee. A hoppy undertone veering upwards aided by its 100% British Goldings from Hukins Hops. A malty chocolatiness, supported by seven different malts, rising up and lingering. |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | | Second night on for this Essex golden pale ale from Maldon and head and lacing, good, and lasting, fair. A dry hoppy first bite. A hoppiness gently rising, with the odd fruit-infused citrusy note or two playing, and prevailing into the summer sunset. |
| Five Points - Pale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Milestone - Cromwell Best Bitter | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Mesmerist | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Salopian - Cypher | 4.10 | Not Tried |
About The River Ale House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 11 |
| 676 |
| 1660 |
| 483 |
 | 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 1311 times, seen 1802 different beers and tried 1048 of them.
Postcode: SE10 0RJ