I look at it like coffee. I'm a black coffee kinda guy. I love a good double shot espresso, short pull. Lots of people add sugar, milk or both. Some people like their drinks sweeter; I'm a fan of the savory.
Dark beers, the stouts/CDA's/Porters etc have a different bitterness than beers that are bitter due only to hops, IMO. I get why people don't like that, especially if their backgrounds are in Pilsners/light lagers(not hating, I enjoy a well made Pilsner).
Personally I don't give a **** what people drink. Really doesn't matter at all, and why should it?
The perception that dark=alcohol, calories, and intense flavors is just misinformed. Will full ignorance.
I get why people wouldn't like those flavors, lots of people don't like black coffee. To me, it's really the same thing.
Is it annoying? Yeah, it can be.
Should people step out of their comfort zone? Hell yes.
Will they be surprised by what they find of they do? I think so.
Do I get annoyed with it? Hell no.
While they drink their ****ty carbonated piss water I've got gallons of the good stuff all to myself.
Cheers.