I am a lucky guy. The main LCBO in Kingston sits between my work and my car park. When the snow is swirling, a half of East India Sherry might be just the thing. When, like today, Ohio's factories and the earth's axis conspire to make the world a hazy sweat pot, there's a 6 pack of McAuslan's Apricot Wheat Ale along the way.

One of the fine ales made by Montreal's contribution to the world of microbrews, McAuslan seldom disappoints. The Kingston Brew Pub has their Biere Noire, the silky oatmeal stout, on tap. Microbrewers enjoy the opportunity to exercise a subtle sense of humour. On the Apricot Wheat the first ingredient is "beer".

To the uninitial wheat beers can be challenging whether they are the spicy southern German cloudy ales like Schneider Weisse or the grassy northern ones like the McAuslan is styled after. Yorkshire bitter is another wheat ale again. All have an extra tang that work the best on the hottest days.