Sierra Nevada always fills that niche for me: ubiquitous and of reliable quality. I don't like every SN beer, nor are they my absolute favorite, but their popular ones are consistently solid.
kirin/asahi for me only good when it's going together with yakitori. and bottle of sake.
longboard/trumers are kinda ok but they are somewhat not right . anchor steam bears for me and for my wife have better taste (we come from lager/pilsner dominating countries)
but I guess i am asking for too much