Fred Eckhardt died yesterday. No matter how many descriptions you read in the next few days of what a generous man, just plain generous, he was I doubt any will do him justice. More accurately, I’ve typed and deleted enough attempts I know they won’t came from me.
So I recommend you pull “The Audacity of Hops: The History of America’s Craft Beer Revolution” off the shelf and read the six pages Tom Acitelli devoted to him. Then see what treasures All About Beer posts from its archives (this is a good one to start with).
Added Tuesday afternoon: “The late Fred Eckhardt: ‘He was the cosmic giggle of craft beer'”
Related: “Bottled beers types and categories (1977).”
I was fortunate enough to have met Fred once and enjoy a beer and conversation with him. Grateful for that opportunity, regretful that it was only once. Fred will be missed.