Grab, I think you are being a little hard on the US brewers. Yes the big commercial breweries are just plain awfull but some of the microbrewers are producing products to rival the best anywhere. Its the same situation in Canada and I know I'm going to hurt feelings with my next comments but Labatts, Molson's etc produce the same insipid crap but again its the micro guys that save the day. Infact correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the Granite Brewery here in sunny Halifax, Nova Scotia (even though there is about 20cm of snow on the ground today) is the first cottage brewery in north America. I also hear that they are moving their operation to Ontario. Oh please say it isn't so.

Back to the thread. I would have to agree I love English ales and cider. I think English comedians are some of the best and most innovative anywhere. The Scots I found are good musicians and produce some of the greatest soccer managers. The Welsh I don't know a lot about, I've only ever met a few. Good singers I'd say and their country is very pretty. The Irish well don't get me started on them.