For better or worse, when it comes to craft beer the USA is the tail that wags the dog.

In 2010, there were 1,759 breweries operating in the States. “Beer lovers increased their appreciation for American craft brewers and their beers in 2010,” Paul Gatza of the Brewers Association said in a press release at the time. “Craft brewers’ stories resonate with Americans who are choosing small, independent companies making delicious beers in more than 100 different styles.”

There are nearly 7,500 breweries operating in the US today. While many give refrain to the saying “a beer is just a beer”, VinePair looks at what it sees as being the 35 most important US breweries of the decade.