Another beer geek reporting in. I believe I tasted the Williams Bros' Midnight Sun Porter a few years back - I remember it being quite good, but definitely not the tastiest beer in the world. But I do think Williams Bros is one of the best breweries on the British Isles. And please don't even mention Guinness when talking seriously about beer.
The amount of Imperial stouts on that list is quite amazing and like you say its a matter of taste. Personally I prefer porters, stouts and ales. Not very keen on IPA's though. I kind of assumed that our American friends were into watery beers, because of the prevalence of Budweiser and Millers and other tasteless brews and yet they seem to have a thriving microbrewery culture. Good for them!
Speaking of beer geeks
Any other Brewers in the house?