Belgians are great but expensive. I've had the holy grail (Westvleteren 12, look it up), and enjoy a variety of St. Bernardus brews from time to time but supporting (relatively) local breweries is much more rewarding and lighter on the wallet.

Smuttynose probably does not make a single bad beer - they are my go to brewery when I am not feeling particularly inspired. Sixpoint, from Brooklyn, is amazing beer and if a bar has it I will more than likely get a pint. For stouts I enjoy most British beers that you can get in a can (much better head in a nitro can than a glass bottle, I wish more beers came in cans but it isn't "artisanal" enough these days).

I like beer