R.I.P. Michael Jackson
I’m almost a month late on this but the Beer Hunter, Michael Jackson passed away in his home on Aug 30th.
In the world of beer, Michael Jackson was a legend. He was one of the first people to bring the word beer into the same discourse of wine and single-malt scotch.
In 1977 he wrote The World Guide to Beer and since then has written a large number of similar books about the making and enjoyment of beer and other drinks. Perhaps his best work is Ultimate Beer, which is a visually stunning epic and is simply overwhelming with the amount of information contained therein. He also won a James Beard Award (known as the “Oscars of Food”) in 2006.
His body of work, quite possibly was one of the main influences of the micro-brewery boom of the late 1980s early 90s in the United States. He has inspired countless brewers, writers, enthusiasts, connoisseurs and drunks alike. Were it not for Michael Jackson, the diversity, distribution and appreciation of beers in this country and around the world might still be stuck in 1982.
I never met the man, but am still strangely, deeply saddened by his passing. Through his books and the industry that he helped revive, I have come to appreciate and enjoy all the different qualities of beer - even if I am too ignorant to articulate them. For that, I am truly grateful and wish there was some way to pay my respects.
Fortunately, there is a way for all of us to pay our respects. On September 30th, at 9pm (EST), bars, brewpubs, restaurants and basements all over the world will be toasting to Michael Jackson:
Events Around the World Commemorating Michael Jackson:
Mr. Jackson suffered from Parkinson’s Disease and the National Toast will be donating proceeds in different ways to the National Parkinson Foundation. If you are free and enjoy beer, please visit your local brewpub (or closest participant above) and pay your respects with a pint and a pound (or two).
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October 6th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Thank you for sharing!