Rose's, Woolwich, SE18

Historically the pub is known as the Prince Albert and dates back to at least 1858 however it is commonly known as Rose’s although my archive digging has not managed to find a cheery buxom wench by that name as I was hoping but a more officious business title of E J Rose & Co who are on the Post Office records for the address for much of the early part of the 20th Century. For as long as I can remember, Rose’s has been the flagship ale pub in Woolwich and despite a closing down scare a couple of years ago, continues in that vain although the Great Harry ‘Spoons and the new Dial Arch have finally given it a bit of competition. Unlike its more corporate neighbours, Rose’s comes across as a traditional small time family run establishment aimed primarily at the old boys market. The interior has had a bit of a tidy up in the last year or so and looks a bit fresher and more airy than it used to be although it is still a generally traditional no thrills kind of place. To the left of the bar is a decent darts area and you will also find a jukebox and a couple of flat screen TV's one over the bar and one at the rear. There did once used to be a pinball machine but disappeared some time ago. Pride of the décor is probably the large mural depicting the nearby Woolwich Ferries and there are also some coloured glass rose motifs in the windows. A tank contains a couple of reptiles (I’m not David Attenborough so I’ll pass on the species identification front) and the friendly pub dog also has its own spot. There are usually 3 rotating ales available (Westerham Matrimoniale, Cottage Windsor Castle and Thwaites Wainwright Ale - all at £3 - on my latest visit) although there is capacity for more with 3 further pumps and they hold regular beer festivals where another dozen or so are racked up where the dartboard is. The pub has won multiple CAMRA awards and appears in the Good Beer Guide. As Woolwich goes, Rose’s is still one of the more friendly, hassle free and accommodating pubs and with the nearby Dial Arch, Elephant & Castle & 'Spoons all offering a choice of ales, things are looking a little more rosey (pun intened!) for real beer drinkers in the area than in the past.

Located near the central shopping area of Woolwich and the River Thames is the Prince Albert – a basic old style free house known as Rose’s. It doesn’t look desperately inviting from the outside – and being situated in a street with more than its fair share of fast food outlets and several boarded up shop fronts doesn’t do anything to change this initial impression. My recent Saturday lunchtime visit – in the area for Wednesday’s match at Charlton – commenced with me being thoroughly vetted and sniffed all over by the pub dog, admittedly not large or fierce, but which is a discouraging start in my book. The pub is a basic, but comfortable, unpretentious single bar with carpets, comfortable seating and much wood panelling. Frosted windows bearing a red rose motif are a reminder that the pub was once owned by E J Rose & Co, a small group of London free houses. It appears to be very much a locals pub, favoured by the more mature drinkers. In one corner is a dartboard. Music from an earlier era was playing on the jukebox, contributing to the rather time warp feel of the place. Décor wise, of particular note, are several murals depicting local river scenes, including one featuring the nearby Woolwich Ferry. In the same corner of the room, most notably, may be found a largish glass tank, housing not fish, but a pair of salamanders who I learnt are called Ronnie and Reggie – after those splendid former East End role models, undoubtedly. Reinforcing the basic, old fashioned style, food consists of crusty rolls behind the bar, wrapped in clingfilm and served on paper plates. There’s 6 handpumps with 3 beers on ( this seems to be normal ) when I visited – Hobgoblin, Cock of The Walk from Williams Alloa Brewery and Flash Flood from Phoenix Brewery. The Flash Flood – a pale citrusy bitter – was really good, but the Cock of the Walk was slightly uninspiring. Both beers were priced at £ 2.90p. The pub is listed in CAMRA’s 2011 Good Beer Guide. This is the type of good honest unpretentious community local that I like ( minus the dog ) and whilst I don’t think it’s a pub worth going any distance to visit, I’d probably call in again if I was in the area.

Medium size corner pub with a back room that houses a very fine mural of the river crossing.Had 3 real ales on when I visited and by the looks of the pump clips on the wall they do have quite a variety of real ales. A real basic local.