If you live in a small town, showing up to a buddy's house with a Dark Mild or a Kolsch is like going to a Super Bowl party with brie and a baguette.
Sometimes splitting a case of Busch Light while fishing is enjoyable, even if an APA would be better. My wife rips on me, but I drink Old Milwaukee Light as my light lager of choice. The company is American owned and it gets consistently good reviews (see BeerAdvocate). Also not BMC.
Sometimes trying to turn people on to good beer is just a flat-out waste, I'll agree to your analogy. I like me some Heilmann's Old Style, Olympia, Stroh's, and even (duh duh duh) Schlitz! Keeps filthy roommates from drinkin' mah ***t.
I agree with situational awareness. Living in what is generally considered a HUGE ****ING DESERT I have had my fair share of all kinds of cheap light lager. When it's 130 degrees outside I can't say I've seen anyone really aching for an ice-cold imperial stout that cost 10 bucks for a bottle. Many folks who say they'd never touch a BMC product haven't woken up in a searing hot tent in the middle of the desert with only MGD or Coors light that's icy-fresh and numbing enough to dull the cumbersome heat of the desert (Lake Powell anyone?). Most of the time's we make jokes about what we're drinking but face it, it's icy cold, and you're goddamn hot. Most of the time when we call for a "Perrier" it's subtle humor for a Coors light, since the two are similar. Also the watery light lagers are good for, well, hydration and recreation all in one convenient light package so it's not a PITA to haul out.
Sometimes when the mood strikes me and I'm not doing R&D (wink wink) I'll settle for a nice Mexican lager or similar domestic just out of pure cost/convenience. Nothing says classy like tall cans of Tecate before noon on a hot June day while you tend to the green chile pork slow cooking on the stove, then when you're sure it's steady, siesta time!
I really love wine too and I see it all the time at local vineyards. Charlatans and fools playing at the conoisseur, saying there above large-production wines and only drink this and that of such and such years, even though their opinions are false and clouded with the know-it-all attitude. Unnecessary pretentious malarky if you ask me. Enjoy all the good aspects, even the "cheaper" stuff, cellar the really fine bottles, keep sipping.
"Stay thirsty, my friends"