I agree with Kendall that often there is a snobbery. It is one thing to talk about the style among afficionados, but you can often find an inbred snobbery there. The whole idea of "ale" versus "lager" is an example of that.   Those who denigrate "lager" have a limited education and exposure to the style. They were indoctrinated to believe that "real ale" is the only way to go. in reality, they fall victim to the same sort of media campaign that makes Bud the #1 selling beer across the planet.

You like what you like.   If you are a home brewer you might have interest in the ingredients and the preparation, but if you are simply a consumer it doesn't matter.