If you think you don't like beer, think again – the new breed of British brewer is making beers the likes of which we've never tasted before

This week's column isn't principally for existing beer lovers, but for those who think they don't like or aren't remotely interested in beer. Well, think again, because a revolution is taking place in British brewing that is resulting in beers unlike any we've ever tasted.

I tried a good few of them at the Independent Manchester Beer Convention the other week, a joyous, two-day event held in the crumbling splendour of the Victoria Baths. Anything went: keg beers sat alongside cask, fresh chillies were being infused into chocolate stout (by Bitches Brewing Co), food included a Michelin-standard beer dinner (from Aumbry) and Curry Mile-style cheesy peas. The brewers were present to talk to the punters, who were largely under-35s and, at a guess, at least 30% women. Beers were poured in third-pint measures, so you could try more.

Many of the fledgling breweries come from Yorkshire, which seems to be the epicentre of the new craft beer movement. The Summer Wine Brewery of Holmfirth, for instance, was pouring exotic, dark, hoppy Cohort Double Black Belgian Rye PA (£2.59; 7.5% abv) made with rye malt, American hops and Belgian yeast.

The Henley-on-Thames-based Lovibonds brewery, which has been playing around with Belgian-style sour beers, came up with an intensely refreshing, barrel-aged wheat beer called Sour Grapes, which recently won a gold in the World Beer Awards (think sour-citrus, not sour-off); it's set shortly to release a limited edition of 500 bottles direct from the brewery (£15 a full-size bottle; 6% abv).

And there was, of course, BrewDog – still only five years old, but already a veteran of the craft beer scene, whose latest, Hello, My Name Is Beastie (long story; check out the website), is a delicious, bramble-infused double IPA (£2.69, or three for £7.59; 8.2% abv) that would be great with autumnal roasts.

Even while I've been writing this piece, a couple of new breweries have started up, including the Wild Beer Co in Somerset, which has just made a gorgeous, almost caramelly saison-style beer called Epic Saison (£2.80, Corks of Cotham, Bristol; 5% abv), which would be perfect with the Christmas (or Thanksgiving) turkey.

The best place to discover craft beers is obviously a pub or bar. Try Port Street Beer House in Manchester, which curated the Indy Man Beer Con, The Treacle Tap in Macclesfield, The Grove in Huddersfield and Euston Tap in London for starters.

matchingfoodandwine.com