Just joined and wasn't going to post since I'm trying to learn but then I found this thread.
Thought to myself...I can talk about beer!
I'm a hophead. And I'm a great believer in drinking local. If I'm in Germany or Belgium I'm glad to drink their fresh brew but I generally pass on stuff that's been shipped/stored for weeks or months when there's a place down the road making a great local beer. Drinking German beer here makes as much sense as drinking Coors in Germany.
Being in SoCal I'm a huge fan of Stone. My favorite is their Ruination Ale though their IPA is just fine. Their best known brand is Arrogant *** (a strong dark ale) and that's just fine also. Sierra Nevada makes a number of good beers. If you're ever in either Escondido or Chico, I'd recommend visiting the really fine eating establishments both these breweries have opened.
And while I'm as much a beer snob as the next beer snobby kind of guy, let's not belitte the weak yellow mass market American lager too much. Miller, Coors, and A Busch all make fine quality lagers at an affordable price. I think the uniformity and familiarty is what breeds so much contempt. But there's nothing wrong with lagers. Or the American versions.
If you're interested in a history of American brewing (and who wouldn't be?) pick up Ambitious Brew by Maureen Ogle. It's a book. About beer. Really takes the sting out of reading.