Most of the Bud/Miller/Coors fit your description but pick up something from Stone Brewing or Great Lakes Brewing, or Victory Brewing (their Storm King Stout bears very little resemblance to water) or even Boston Beer Company whose Halertau Imperial Pilsner qualifies as an alpha acid delivery vehichle.
That’s absolutely correct. Over here in Europe, the only American beers you can get are Miller light, Bud light or things like that. So it’s no wonder they have a bad reputation. When I’ve been to California, there have been such wonderful things as Red Tail, Nevada Brew or Anchor Steam. Sure, they cost a bit more, but it’s absolutely worth those pennys. If you taste them, the question if American beers can match some Bavarian, Czech or Belgian brews boils down to personal taste and is no longer a matter of overall quality.
@Jermo: The cultivating of the yeast really is the simplest part of it, as you in fact do it anyways whilst brewing. It’s just like having dough in the fridge all the time and always leave a little bit behind when baking, refilling with flour and water to use it again next time. And again. And again. Same as with yoghurt, if you do it yourself, or Sauerkraut.