Michael Jackson, The Beer Hunter, Dead at 65

When people who aren’t into beer hear me giving credit to the primary name in beer writing, it never fails … “Michael Jackson?!  (snickering)”.  This is always followed up by me correcting them with, “Not that Michael Jackson.”  The Michael Jackson I’m talking about was a monster beer journalist who’d been at it for more than 30 years.  He was regarded as an unparalelled wealth of beer knowlege, and he was found dead, at the age of 65, in his home on Thursday.

This is indeed a remarkable day for all who love beer.  Many people around the Net are taking time to honor the friend and/or colleague they have lost.  This man was one of the pillars (if not a major piece of the foundation) upon which the craft beer resurgence stands.  His work (books, articles, television program, beer-of-the-month clubs, etc.) have been instrumental in helping foster the growing apreciation of the vast beer diversity that exists on this planet .  He may be gone, but he will most definitely not be forgotten.

With that, I’m going to mark his passing with a celebration of beer by raiding my cellar.  I have collected some great beers over the years, and some of them were directly because of Mr. Michael Jackson … not that one.

Cheers and unending thanks to you, Mr. Jackson!  Your life was rich and full.  May we all be so blessed.

Brewerman