Lagers and ales

Lagers are bland and so appeal to the lowest common denominator...aka McDonalds. I too prefer Ales which have a much more complex flavor profile due to the top fermenting yeast strains used.

Lagers began as a refreshing beverage. Meant to be light to drink in the hotter months. Beer was consumed in dark ages I believe instead of water because water supplies were always contaminated. Beer was safer due to the alcohol. There it began. Ales came about as a way to ship beer to India I believe. Hence IPA India Pale Ale... They were bitter so unable to take over the place of Lager beer.

I am and always will be more into Belgians and wheats. Ales are just too damn bitter for me. Just a preference thing. I cannot appreciate the complexity people speak of because the IBU's are usually too high. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is the one that I can usually tolerate.

Need a beer snob to confirm my half-assed history lesson.