~18 years ago I began to beome interested in beer, thanks in great part to sam adams. That said, I quickly found that the widest variety of quality and taste which traveled well (due to bottle refermentation in many cases) was the world of begian beer. For years I would be unlikely to drink in the US something made there.
That has changed completely. Unless I want a lambic or flemish sour, I very rarely drink belgian anymore, because the US micro industry is making a huge selection of very very good beer now.
Damn good in some cases. And we’re all better for it.