First I have to ask a question to answer your question: Where are your taste buds?
Beer is an amazing taste adventure that, at least in my experience, is best had without a meal. Let the beer work and give you what it has to offer, much like wine or sushi (without soy sauce, wasabi, and the like). Maybe you just need to do more exploring or maybe beer will never taste worthwhile to you. The only way is to try different stuff and grade each case on its own merits. I could make a pretty exhaustive list of great beers but I'll hold off unless you want it.
To the second question I say don't sweat it. If you want to milk a beer for hours, go right ahead. If you don't want to drink at all, that's fine too. If your company is hung up on you being dry for the evening then that's their issue, not yours.
And Keld Denar is incorrect. Michigan is where microbrew magic is at. Try out anything from Short's Brewery, Dragonmead, Atwater, Motor City Brewery Works, New Holland, Arbor Brewing, Bells, Founders, Frankenmuth (I can keep going), and you will know what good beer is.