You're probably selling yourself short, when it comes to your taste buds, and your ability of differentiating the levels of "hoppiness" apart between beers.
With apologies, in advance, for sounding like a know-it-all beer douche, I can almost guarantee it. Get a Sierra Nevada Torpedo, a Heavy Seas Loose Cannon & a Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA, (all of which are easy to find in the DMV area), and pour a little of each into different glass, smell and taste them.
The difference in taste will be very noticeable. There are many factors involved, i.e. the type of hops, how they add the hops in the brewing process, when they add the hops, etc. Also, many people confuse hoppiness with bitterness. More hops doesn't necessarily mean more bitter. Continually hopped beers, like the the Dogfish 60 minute, or beers where hops are added several times during the brewing process, like the Loose Cannon, are very hoppy,but not super bitter. Wow, I did come off sounding beer douchey. Sorry!
I'm with you on the Dead Rise...I'd just assume rim a glass with Old Bay, and fill it with Natty Boh. Tastes better and it's a helluva lot cheaper.