In reply to gaucho:
What a great question and a view close to my own....
Having always been a lager drinker, last year i started working in a pub to earn a few extra rubs. Its a fine pub, The Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station, London, which 4 times a year has quite succesful 'Aleway' Festivals.
Having sampled every beer on offer at these festivals my view is that most taste the same... like cold dish water aka pish!
However, there are a few which stand out and taste really good but in my limited experience, these tend to be the ones you only find at festivals and notthe standard Pulls on most bars i.e Adnams, London Pride, John Smiths, IPA etc
When in the hills I drink ale because i think I should (as locals eat southern sofites for supper), otherwise i stick to lager...
Although, i have discovered a new love in single Malts...
Mike
ps the next Aleways festival starts this wkend (shameful plug)