My tastes are, predictably, "British" in that I really do like a good, hoppy beer. Britain produces some of the best and most diverse beers. In the summertime (i.e. now) the pubs are awash with light and slightly floral summer ales. Kept well in a cold cellar (not chilled) and served with a bit of a head on them, they can make an afternoon go very pleasantly and quickly. The local to where I work in the City of London, is a Fullers pub and has a great selection - a nd a few guest beers.
Of all the beers available in Britain, my favourite has to be Timothy Taylor's "Landlord" - a really fresh, hoppy IPA - brewed in Yorkshire (but I'll forgive it that) as it is a superb pint.
I like a good, well-kept stout. Guinness can be good but it can also be pretty flat if not kept well. Beamish (another Irish stout) can be its match and, IMO, often better. Personal taste of course.
There's a pub near "Temple" in London which specialises in Belgian beers - draught and bottled. Most are extremely good - others are what I regard as novelty - massive ABV and/or fruit flavoured. "Stella" is often referred to as "Wife Beater" or "Looney Soup" over here. I suspect it's brewed locally under license and, as with most lagers, is pretty tasteless, over-gassy and too expensive for what it is. It is one of the stronger "mainstream" lagers available in the UK but you tend to either love it or loathe it.
There are some fantastic micro-breweries. One of my favourite is Dent Brewery. If you get the chance to try Aviator, Ramsbottom or Kamikaze, do give them a go.
I tried a few of the local brews when driving Route 66 last year. There were a couple in Chicago and St Louis that were really good but, the further west we went, the less I tended to drink the beer.
