I think I'm becoming a hop head.

[FedoraDave]

Banjo, you are maturing as a brewer and beer aficionado. You are not following a trend or being sucked into some kind of craft beer "fraternity".

As I said, I don't know if the trend toward hoppy beers is just some flash in the pan or not, but you are evolving your tastes, regardless of what is hip to drink. And that's a very good thing.

[berryman]

This brings up my own personal hobby horse regarding highly hopped beers, specifically, is this a phenomenon that truly reflects the tastes of the beer-drinking public, or is it a fad along the lines of "You're not really drinking craft beer until you drink this IPA that's so bitter it'll turn your face inside out!"

Dave I agree, it's like eating chicken wings, some folks think unless you are eating the suicidal hot wings you aren't getting the full effect of real Buffalo style wings. I know that to be false, I love hot wings but I want to taste a little chicken also. I like a good IPA and I drink a lot of them, but I also like all kinds of craft beer. One thing I like as a home brewer is to actually taste the different hop varieties and a good IPA will put that forward. The OP banjo-guy is coming around like the rest of us and is starting to appreciate a hopped up beer.
A fun experiment for anyone willing to try: drink a good IPA like (Dogfish Head 90 min) what I'm drinking tonight, maybe 2, then drink a Coors Light out of a can and see what happens....................spew time guaranteed.