[Deathwatch] Michael Jackson, beer critic, 65

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Beer critic Michael Jackson dies

By THOMAS WAGNER
Aug 31

Michael Jackson, a leading world beer critic who praised the brews of
Belgium and acknowledged he would never be as famous as "that Michael
Jackson," has died. He was 65.

Jackson, known as "the beer hunter," died Thursday of a heart attack at
his home in west London. His body was found by his house cleaner, Paddy
Gunningham, his long-term partner, said Friday.

She said he had kept writing and traveling, despite suffering from
Parkinson's disease, and that he planned to write a book about the
ailment.

"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.

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary