The third point is one I’ve never heard spoken about early American brewers, who, as Bob points out, brewed from what they had at their disposal. (Later American brewers have been accused of this, with some justification, for certain.) Point four is another I’ve seldom if ever heard expressed — quite the opposite, actually, as I’ve heard many Americans make reference to the robust early brewing industry and the way the arrival of the Germans changed it.

And finally, Prohibition did have a notable effect on the taste of American beer, just as did the aforementioned arrival of the Germans. That is was just one of several factors in a long and winding evolution should not diminish that fact.