Michael Jackson would have been 69 years old Sunday.
A good day to pull one of his books — I always recommend Michael Jackson’s Beer Companion — off the shelf. Read aloud if you like.
Also, there are new publications on both sides of the Atlantic that pay tribute to his legacy. In England, the Brewery History Society dedicated the current issue to “the most significant writer on beer there has been.”
In the United States, Jay Brooks wrote about Jackson’s influence in the latest Beer Connoisseur magazine. I haven’t actually seen this issue and can’t guarantee how easy it will be to find, but look for Jackson on the cover.
The Beer Society tribute gets an official launch at 6 p.m. Sunday at The Rake in London. Pete Brown, who wrote the introduction, contributor Mark Dredge, the editor and others will be on hand. And the magazine will be for sale. Brown’s introduction in online. Here’s the rest of the table of contents:
The World Guide to Beer – Jeff Evans
Michael Jackson and beer styles – Martyn Cornell
Michael Jackson and world beers – Tim Webb
The taste of beer – Zak Avery
Michael Jackson and beer writing – Roger Protz
Michael Jackson: Father of the craft brewing renaissance in America – Carolyn Smagalski
On the road with the Beer Hunter – J.R. Richards
Michael Jackson: the personal view of a brewer – John Keeling
Beer writing and new media – Mark Dredge
And a quick heads up. Richards is the filmmaker who trailed Jackson through much of Europe and the United States during the last years before Jackson died in 2007. He is working to complete his documentary — “Beer Hunter: The Movie” — and seeking donations. Here are the basics:
Your donation will also help establish the “Pints for Parkinson’s Foundation,” aimed at preserving Michael’s legacy while raising money and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation. As a sponsor, your name will appear on the credits of the Beer Hunter movie and you’ll receive a free download of the film after its release.
A suggested donation would be $10.