I quit drinking the “mass produced cheap alternatives” when I moved to San Francisco in 1973 and discovered Anchor Steam Beer. To this day, I always seek out local, small breweries. I drink one to three beers a week, so cost isn’t an issue — flavor and quality are.
Get this — a couple weeks ago, I drank my first (and last) “Bud Light” ever in my entire life! A friend gave it to me as a gag gift, so I faced a choice — try it or throw it out. To be honest, it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be (as far as lagers go).
Yea, I prefer the The Belgian White Beers, like Allagash White from Maine. I used to drink Bud Light when I was drinking more than a couple, it wasn’t bad.
Now I’ve gone to PBR or Labatt’s Blue Light when I want more than a few beers on a Saturday afternoon or during a beer golf league.