The American brewing industry reached another milestone at the end of June, with more than 3,000 breweries operating for all or part of the month 3,040 to be precise. Although precise numbers from the 19th century are difficult to confirm, this is likely the first time the United States has crossed the 3,000 brewery barrier since the 1870s. Wieren 1995 notes that the Internal Revenue Department counted 2,830 “ale and lager breweries in operation” in 1880, down from a high point of 4,131 in 1873.

via U.S. Brewery Count Tops 3,000 | Brewers Association.