I'm with gixxer vodka is where it's at!
There's an Irish pub near me that I go to sometimes and I've drank a couple Guinnesses there. It's weird because I really don't care for beer but I don't mind Guinness which shocks a lot of people.
First time I tried Guinness was in an Irish car bomb. Those things will get you tanked but generally don't settle well.
Like someone said above: Most Americans drink to get drunk so when you're at a bar or club a $3 budlight is more appealing than a $6 import. Another thing to think about is sports arenas impact on this. Most stadiums only serve budlight, budweiser, and bud select. With the exception of a few that are sponsored by companies like coors or miller. This ha caused Americans to be ok with drinking these regularly as it's what they are used to and it gets the job done and at $9 a beer at most stadiums I'd hate to see what they'd charge for imports.