Dave, next time you are in the states we can sit down and discuss it over a few pints!! I would be honored to buy you a few rounds and let you sample our best!

Belgian ale is hard to beat because the natural yeast and methods, and style is difficult to reproduce in another country. We do have a very good brewery that is brewing "Belgian style" ale - Ommergang.

I did not mean to say that U.S. beers surpass others. Some do. Some do not. Overall, the U.S. microbrew industry has done an excellent job at boosting these styles and quality.   I do think that we have more opportunities and create some very unique beers. Read Michael Jackson's work (not the pop star - the U.K. based beer and whiskey critic) and he will confirm.    There are outstanding beers all over the globe. Most people think of Bud and Coors when they think of U.S. beer and that is wrong!   I have to admit to buy both - they work great on keeping slugs out of the garden.

I sort of see your point about the usage of language. From a culinary point of view I do stand by what I've said. Local usage may vary, but it doesn't mean it is right - just hard to change.