I must admit, before my tour of Fuller's Brewery I could never picture myself sitting in my local nursing a pint of real ale.

But in these tough times, I thought it prudent to put aside my prejudices and give beer, one of the cheaper alcoholic beverages, a whirl.

One of the first things I learned on my tour through the Chiswick brewery is that beer is one of the healthiest drinks around.

Tour guide Jane Peyton explained how many women incorrectly make the link between drinking ale and beer bellies.

"There are more calories in half a pint of orange juice than in half a pint of beer," she claimed. "When you see men with big bellies, it is all down to their lifestyle and nothing to do with drinking beer.

"In Europe and the USA, it is just as common to see a woman drinking beer than it is a man, so why is it any different in Britain?"

Owners Fuller, Smith and Turner have even produced a stemmed beer glass in an attempt to make beer drinking more accessible to the fairer sex.

As the tour progressed and I learnt of the many health benefits of beer, as well as the impressive science behind it (did you know that brewers harvest their yeast in special DNA banks?), I found myself wandering why I would choose to pay around £4 for a small glass of white wine when I could get a pint of beer for under £3, and under £1 in Wetherspoon pubs?

Considering all the cereal and hops beer is packed with, is it okay for me to substitute my morning bowl of Frosties for a pint of London Pride, I wondered?

Company spokeswoman Michelle Beaumont said: "I think the reason the Fullers' Griffin brewery has survived where others haven't is down to the fact it has been kept in the family.

"The directors are looking after the business not only for themselves but for future generations.

"Many of the staff who work here in different departments also have relatives who work in the company. My father worked here."

It seems loyalty and passion is the key ingredient that has kept this Chiswick business brewing quality beers and running pubs since 1845.

And it is hard not to be affected by the enthusiasm for their product, which all the staff seem to exude.

I ended my tour in The Mawson Arms pub, which is based on site between the Thames and Hogarth Roundabout.

Here I got a chance to taste a selection of the Fuller's beers I had just learned so much about.

Beforehand I would have probably just said they all tasted pretty much the same. But, I must admit, I could now taste the subtle differences in each.

The bitterness of the hops and citrus flavours in Discovery were now obvious, and I could identify the lovely sweetness of the organic honey in the Honey Dew - my favourite.

Before the tour I would have said give me glass of Pinot over a pint any day.

But after spending an hour in the bowels of London's soon-to-be last remaining big brewery, and having all beer myths put to bed, I can confidently say next time I'm down the pub I will order a pint with pride.

Hopefully, I'll save a few quid in the process too.