Notes on some great craft beers sold in Wisconsin, but not in Minnesota.

New Glarus Brewing Co.

Plain and simple, Wisconsin's pride and joy. Aside from the creamy and clean-finishing Spotted Cow, its Black Top black IPA and fruit beers such as Strawberry Rhubarb, at left, make for a strong and diverse year-round portfolio.

Three Floyds Brewing

You'll have to cross the border for its flagship Alpha King or its Dreadnaught double IPA. But with any luck, Urine Trouble — a heavyweight, Brett IPA collaboration between the Indiana brewery and Surly — will still show up on occasion in Surly's taproom.

Oskar Blues Brewery

This is the Colorado brewery that made canning cool in the craft world. Skip the Silver Bullet and grab a citrusy smooth Dale's Pale Ale by Oskar Blues.

AleSmith Brewing Co.

While AleSmith has been a standout among San Diego's hop-centric beers since 1995, don't pigeonhole it as an IPA peddler. Brews such as its coffee-spiked Speedway Stout and Wee Heavy earn high marks on popular beer-ranking websites.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

The little Iowa brewery that could has been making noise nationally with beers such as its PseudoSue pale ale. Word is the Decorah beermaker aspires to serve Minnesota.

Bear Republic Brewing Co.

It's no secret that the West Coast knows hops. In its current issue, Draft Magazine dubbed this northern California brewery's big and balanced Racer 5 IPA one of eight "essential craft beers."

MICHAEL RIETMULDER