Resurrected from the dusty confines of small-town pubs and grabbed out of the hands of mad old men lamenting the days of yore, real ale is the drink to be drinking right now. In the last year alone, more than 80 new breweries have emerged - twice as many as 2004 - and August's Great British Beer Festival drew 47,000 people and saw 240,000 pints pulled in just five days.

If you need further proof of why you should be adoring ale, then man of the moment Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff just happens to be the new face for Thwaites Brewery's Lancaster Bomber; and don't forget that Madonna, the barometer of style for many a fashionista, has been drinking Timothy Taylor's Landlord for years.

Consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has been fighting the cause since 1971, and its chief executive Mike Benner is not surprised that people have finally hopped on to the ale wagon. "It's our traditional British drink, and it's part of our way of life," he says.

And that's another reason why we love it: real ale has a British sense of humour you can't help but admire. In this world of global branding and personality-devoid products, there's something endearing about going up to the bar asking for a pint of Jennings Cross Buttock Ale or Wychwood's Dog's Bollocks. Certainly more imaginative than "a pint of Carling, please".

To get you quaffing, we recommend Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, which was named Champion Beer of Britain 2005. Pale and aromatic, it looks like a lager and is ideal for someone trying something new. Of course, if that doesn't appeal, with more than 2,500 varieties available you're bound to find one that suits you perfectly.

Roger Protz, editor of Camra's Good Beer Guide 2006, says that part of real ale's charm is its unique, defined flavour. "Ale is challenging. It's bitter, malty, hoppy and is a complex drink - but give it a go," he urges.

We at Caterer will drink to that!