I think it's just how humans use sight so much when it comes to taste. People see the color and expect a certain taste. So no matter what it really tastes like, it's always, "Too Strong" "Too Bitter" and the one I get a lot, "Too Thick" I have a nut brown that I had on tap that was a fairly low gravity, low alcohol beer, with a faily mild hoppiness. Of the other two on Tap, an Amber and an IPA, aside from the color, the brown was easily the closest to BMC of the three. At least as far as being meant to be a mild, every day drinker. Yet all my BMC friends said the same think, "Too Strong" and one even said "Too Thick" yet they were all happily drinking the IPA that's up around 6.5% ABV.
I'm sure, in a blind taste test, literally, with their eyes covered. All the BMC guys would choose the nut brown.