My ex-hub's tasted AWFUL. I mean awful, awful. Like bleach, salt and super bitter hops, plus it was sticky and thick. We were together for almost 25 years and I probably swallowed 5x.
I don't have a TON of other experience, but I've never experienced this again... all the others would fall right in line with AE's assessment. Meh. Not good, not horrible. My most recent partner's is kinda sweet... probably the most pleasant I've encountered. Granted it's not a taste I'd seek out on it's own... it's just necessary byproduct of the thing I DO seek out.
As far as the swallowing itself... it's partially because I don't want to have to clean up, and partially because every guy I've been with sure appreciates it.