The fact that "queer" rhymes with beer should be enough to prove that gay boys like their brew. Organizers of Toronto’s ever-popular Festival of Beer recognized this oversight last year and introduced the city’s second annual Queer Beer Festival. The festival returns to the CNE in 2012, with even more breweries and brands — more than 200 from all over the world. Local microbreweries, such as Mill Street and Wellington Brewery, will show off a broad range of styles and introduce some brave new flavours. Prep your tastebuds for Flying Monkey’s Wizard of Odd, a quirky blend of guava, watermelon, bubble gum and marshmallow flavours. Sip on a hefeweiss with just the right amount of head while thinking about the next tasty head you’ll be served: mouthwatering blonde? honey brown? red amber or dark? And the beers are tasty, too. The entertainment lineup is yet to be revealed, but after last year’s headliners Ace of Base, Hunter Valentine, The Cliks’ Lucas Silveira and host Maggie Cassella, it’s sure to be worth the wait. New this year is the World of Beer Pavilion; Quebec and its suds, regional foods and tourism highlights will kick off what promises to be a popular tradition. The Brewmaster’s Series Pavilion caters to hands-on hops lovers, with the Niagara Brewing College, Canada’s only teaching brewery, hosting seminars on such things as casks, glassware, styles and processes. The Queer Beer Festival is sure to entice grog-loving gays to take home a full-bodied six-pack

The Queer Beer Festival is Thurs, July 26, starting at 4:30pm for regular ticket holders and 3pm for Hoptimized tickets. Canadian National Exhibition, Bandshell Park. queerbeerfestival.ca