By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Feb 06, 2010 at 1:34 AM

Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com is back for another round! The whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun articles on bars and clubs -- including guides, the latest trends, rapid bar reviews and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!

I’ve always thought Wisconsin has a pretty impressive craft beer scene. Combine craft breweries like New Glarus, Capital and Leinenkugel with microbreweries like Lakefront, Sprecher, Gray’s and Tyranena and I predict we round out near the top. In Milwaukee and Madison alone we have great brew pubs like The Great Dane, Milwaukee Ale House and the Ale Asylum.

So, when I travel, and run into a craft brewery or in-state made beer, I assume my hometown of Wisconsin is perceived near the top. I assume other cities and brewers see Wisconsin as a homeland of quality beer that can stand against anything produced in another state. But lately, I’ve sometimes had the feeling that everyone thinks that about their own state.

So, is there truth to our claim? Do we have breweries that stand against the best in the country? Or is it just that perhaps we drink more than most?

In reality, Wisconsin ranks 9th in terms of breweries per capita nationwide. That speaks to the prevalence but not necessarily to the caliber of product.

So which states or regions would you put ahead of us? Take a look at states like Oregon, Colorado, New York or Montana, do you think their selection and standards top our own? What kind of beer are we missing?

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.