My grief knows no bounds, Michael Jackson, aka “The Beer Hunter” has passed away:
“He was simply the best beer writer we’ve ever known,” said Tim Hampson, chairman of the British Guild of Beer Writers. “He told wonderful stories about beer, breweries and far away places. He told the story of beer through people, and he was humorous and erudite at the same time,” Hampson told The Associated Press.
Jackson especially loved Belgian brews. His books “The Great Beers of Belgium” and “World Guide to Beer” introduced them to many export markets, including the United States.
By identifying beers by their flavors and styles, and by pairing them with particular foods and dishes, Jackson helped give birth to a renaissance of interest in beer and breweries worldwide that began in the 1970s, including the North American microbrewery movement.
His TV documentary series, “The Beer Hunter” — which popularized his nickname — was filmed around the world and shown in 15 countries.
He worked as a beer critic for more than 30 years, writing in newspapers and gastronomic magazines, holding seminars and giving speeches, appearing on U.S. talk shows and writing books about beer and whiskeys published in 18 languages.
Jackson knew he would never be as famous as Michael Jackson the rock star, and that was reflected on the beer critic’s Web site. “Hello, my name is Michael Jackson. No, not that Michael Jackson, but I am on a world tour. My tour is in pursuit of exceptional beer. That’s why they call me the Beer Hunter,” it says.
My wife gave me his “Great Beer Guide” to take to England for our honeymoon. I was first introduced to him by our occasional contributor Roby as a senor in High School when he showed me the “World Guide to Beer.” I am reading the first now in tribute while drinking a nice cold one.
You will be missed Michael.
Update: You can find Michael’s website here. I found this news:
Friends of Michael Jackson have begun to plan a national toast to Jackson later this month.
It would be a fundraiser for the National Parkinson Foundation.
Organizers first hoped to hold the toast at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, but realized it would be hard to pull everything together by then. A toast is now tentatively set for Sept. 30.
If you know a brewpub, bar, tavern, ale house, tap house, multi-tap or similar establishment that might participate urge them to do so. Information will be posted at the Beer Hunter website when plans are finalized, participants will be able to register their site and download a poster, and drinkers will find a list of toast sites.
There are also plans for a Michael Jackson Tribute Dinner in Philadelphia in March 2008 at the Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Jackson hosted tutored tastings there for the past 18 years. That dinner would be part of Philly Beer Week.
Here is a list of sites with tributes to Michael from the website:
- Michael’s last written article, “Did I cheat Morte Subite?” for All About Beer Magazine–read this first. Even the title suggests Michaels extraordinary skill, vision and playful wit.
- HopTalk’s extensive list of links
- The Brewer’s Association of America’s Tribute Page opens with Charlie Papazian and Ray Daniel’s eloquent rememberances–”Michael simply created the beer universe as we know it”–and includes those from many brewers and beer writers. Tomme Arthur: “We’ve lost our Elvis.” You can contribute by sending your thoughts to mark@brewersassociation.org
- The Guardian Obituary by Roger Protz.
- The Washington Post Obituary by Adam Bernstein
- NPR’s Weekend Edition Obituary includes two audio comments from Michael on Wine and Beer; comforting to hear his voice.
- The Celebrator Beer News Obituary with archival pictures
- Jay Brooks is maintaining excellent links and updates
- We all took something from Michael’s generous education and writing; Tomme Swiped Something from Him
- The British Guild of Beer Writers page of rememberances
- Lew Bryson’s Rememberance and many comment posts on the same topic
- All About Beer Memorial Post Page
- Excellent remeberance with biographical detail by Carolyn Smagalski of BellaOnline
- A few rememberances at Real Beer and Appellation Beer each with comment posts commemorating Michael
- Michael Jackson’s Last Grand Cru
- Drink a beer and think of Michael Jackson
- Custom Google Search for Michael
H/T: E. Frank Stephenson
[tags] Beer, Michael Jackson, the beer hunter, books [/tags]
