I usually assume when Europeans complain about American beers, they just are complaining about our “domestic” beers like Bud Light, Coors, PBR, etc. which makes sense, they are our bottom shelf beers.
I recently chatted with someone at a party who said “no, all American beers are bad” including microbrewery beers.
I’ve never been to Europe so I wouldn’t know, but I do like my Left Handed Milk Stout, NWPAs, and hell even the hipstered out IPAs.
Are these what y’all are referencing?
Im not sure about other countries but something to take note of is that American ‘light’ beers are light flavour, not ABV%.
In Australia a ‘light’ beer is usually around 3.5% ABV, but intended to taste like normal beer (i say intended because usually they taste more watery).
So i personally think a bit of the hate on American beers if that they seem to be fans of the ‘light’ flavours more, (ie prevalence of Bud light, Miller Lite, etc.) and they generally taste a lot like soda water to the non-american beer drinker that is used to a lot more body and/or bitterness.
This right here, you’ve nailed it exactly!
Otherwise described as “tastes like piss”, they usually taste like a watered down version of a proper beer.
It’s like being used to freshly squeezed orange juice, then someone comes along and adds half a cup of water and a bit of sugar because it’s “too acidic” or something.