Me, I can't exactly remember the first time I branched out beyond the major American beers. I think it may have been with a Blue Moon, which I really enjoyed for some reason.  I'm not sure why I first decided to try that. But then my buddy Elmer turned me on to other beers, like Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale (I didn't like it at first...didn't have a taste for hops yet) and Samuel Smith. I think when I discovered Young's Luxury Double Chocolate Stout, it was all over.   :)