Actually, he (she?) did:
That seems pretty definitive to me.
Athena, you have reading problems, though I admit I could have been clearer.
The sentence ‘I think that American beer stinks’ has two readings:
-
I think that the American beer scene (the quality and availability, and range etc etc) stinks.
-
I think that every American beer stinks.
Though I wasn’t clear in that sentence, I have been very clear that I mean the former, not the latter.
Just like someone claiming that ‘British food stinks’ would not be claiming that every single item of British food, anywhere, is bad.
Oh, and to go back a couple of posts.. I’m not hypersensitive to object to you using lazy and ignorant linguistic cliches (like that I would have said ‘pip pip’). Firstly, those cliches apply to a different country. Secondly, they aren’t even accurate for that country. Thirdly, such things are a very common way of deligitimising someone’s opinion. Fourthly, you are an asshole.
pdts
Take four Belgian ale experts from Belgium. Have them pull beers from a distributor (not hand carried recently bottled, but stuff that may have been sitting on the shelf and blind taste them against local stuff. If the results bear out, then you have something. I’m not saying these are just slobs off the street, I’m saying that they’re influenced by what they usually drink. I don’t doubt that the North American (the Unibroue is from Quebec and to call it just “American” may be misleading) can hold their own, just not sure that they’d win in a fair competition. This was not the Judgement of Paris, and even that result is considered controversial.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the movie “Bottle Shock”, I think that there is a lot of very good stuff in the USA and I’m not saying all American beers are crap. Just that the most commonly found ones are. It’s still a lot simpler for me to find a good beer in Europe. It’s also probably easier to find an excellent beer in the U.S. because there are usually a lot more choices to be found there.
Controversial by who, the French? 
Dude, I’m not the one calling you hypersensitive, nor did I claim you’d say ‘pip pip’. I actually thought we came to a pretty good understanding around posts 15 and 16.
The person I took issue with was Spectre of Pithecanthropus, because you did say American beers stunk, and he wanted to say you didn’t. You then further clarified what you meant, and I take no issue with that.
Sorry! Totally my fault. I apologise. I conflated the two of you. The last point was directed at Ogre. I also apologise for being rude to you in the first part of my answer, that was written in light of the last part.
pdts
You didn’t include that exact part of pdts’s remarks; I was going by what you quoted.
So even if he did say it, I would rather he hadn’t put it that way. But as a matter of personal taste, he’s entitled to it, especially as he goes on to give some detailed reasons why he doesn’t like it.
Sorry, couldn’t resist a little vintage Monty Python on the topic ( I guess it’s ALL vintage now):
“How is making love in a canoe similar to American beer? They’re both F*ckin’ close to water!”
Admittedly well out of date, from before the craft brew movement in the US.
Alright, I won’t quit my day job :smack:
“Kids, kids, you can BOTH bring me a beer!” 
You’re a few weeks late. The pollen count today was under 150, and will likely be nonexistant by the time the OP arrives.
I’d like to apologize to pdts. The “Pip pip…” comment was meant to be a joke. A joke with a sharp edge, sure, but not mean spirited. Reading back over it, I can see how it would appear to be straight assholery. Sorry.
Ogre thank you, apology accepted. Lord knows I’ve made such remarks often enough!
Sorry for derailing the thread everyone…
pdts
How about a British beer expert declaring Goose Island IPA one of the best beers in the world. (This is especially odd to me, as Goose Island is hardly my favorite IPA, and their IPA is hardly their best beer. Their IPA is solid, but there are so many better IPAs on the market.)
Anyhow, American beer is fantastic and, as an avid beer drinker, I don’t think there’s any place in the world better to be than here in terms of quality and sheer variety. I, too, prefer certain styles of beer to be served at cellar temp out of the engine. Luckily, I can find a number of pubs around here that do that, should I have a taste for it.
Let’s hash it out over a beer sometime. 
And Lord knows, some of us have over-reacted, including most definitely myself, for which I too apologize. Maybe your user name has turned out to be very apt for joining a mostly American message board, because you never know when we won’t pull the saber out.
(I think there are lots of cultural and historical reasons for American/European prejudices and defensive postures on both sides, which are definitely a subject for another time).
I think you’re going to be greatly disappointed. The History Channel has become nothing more than reality shows about lumberjacks, pawn shop dealers, and UFOs.
That may be, but they’re beginning production of the US version of Topgear, so there may be some hope after all.
Which is owned by Taco Bell. As a result of the Franchise Wars, all restaurants are Taco Bell.
Guess what movie I saw parts of again the other night.
Have you seen the selection of “talent?” One can hope, but like in Red Sox baseball, it’s usually for naught.
That said, I do like the lumberjack/pawn shop shows. Though I’d agree that the former isn’t history, but the latter often is… in an entertainment format.
Some guy named Osama got elected president
Some pilot had to make an emergency landing in the East River and he’s now a hero
Various pilots have been caught goofing off in plane cockpits, playing minesweeper, sleeping, etc.
Various white females, young and old, have gone missing. One recent married young mother was found with her lover in a crappy motel in FL
Taylor Swift won every award evar
Three Men and a Half Man is inexplicably still on the air
Some football guy was mean to dogs, but he’s real sorry
John Edwards DID have sexual intercourse with that woman. They got a kid now.
It was a helluva winter with several major snowstorms and it’s still not over in the NE and Rockies.
Some sort of health insurance legislation was passed. Not sure what the hell it will do.