The microbreweries of today, for the most part deserve complaint and derision.
Ales, Ales, Ales.
A kindergarden class can make an ale.
While you might occasionally run across a well-crafted ale, it's usually too bitter and exceeds anything in the histry of beer.
It's those darn Cascade hops. They're cheap, but taste like turpentine.
And they give you a head ache.
Yes, there are bitter lagers.
Try Pilsner Urquell or Primator Maibock.
At least they are made with noble hops (Saaz).
That said, I have discovered a new brewery locally (Davis, CA) that brews 100% in compliance with the German Beer law that's been on the books for several hundred years (hops, barley malt, water). And they do it very very well.
Sudwerk.
So yeah, there is a rare find in this explosion of sh!t with fancy labels and fancy names.
Must be a CA thing. Here in NC you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a microbrew...everything from pilsners to the stoutest stouts.
Of course, this is the right coast. ;-)