Meh. Maybe this is an American/California thing but at the bar or supermarket there are 100s of possible brands of beer, many of which incorporate different ing

Meh. Maybe this is an American/California thing but at the bar or supermarket there are 100s of possible brands of beer, many of which incorporate different ingredients and brewing processes that will have profound effects on flavor (and physiological effect). One utility of a brand to me as a beer drinker is to help me remember which Imperial stout was too chocolatey or which IPA had an enjoyable hoppy taste. On the other hand I could see the point of this for the huge domestic American brands e.g. Coors, Miller, Budweiser, etc.