Bottle Conditioned

You’re reading that correctly. Micheal Jackson, the beer critic/writer/educator, has died. He died yesterday morning, August 30, at his home in London.

This is a huge blow for the beer community worldwide. Not just a few weeks after the death of Sierra Nevada VP Steve Harrison, Micheal Jackson joins him in seeking out a better pub in a better place. God speed.

I hadn’t had the chance to meet Micheal yet. I was hoping that I would be able to this year at GABF, and at least shake his hand. As I am a relative newbie in the craft beer scene (just a coupleish years), I haven’t had the opportunity to read all his work. That said, I am more than familiar with it. Michael Jackson contributed so much to the worldwide beer scene, became beer’s first real celebrity, and wrote some of the definitive work regarding beer and beer styles.

Somehow, Micheal was constantly popping up in public view. I remember Mollie and I stumbling across a clip from him on Conan O’Brien. Awesome. Conan didn’t give Micheal much in the way of serious conversation (or respect for beer, for that matter), but it was simply awesome to think that someone whose life’s work was educating about beer was on such a huge show. To me, it was a sign of the times in terms of craft beer’s advancement in the world. It was a huge moment of optimism.

He will be sorely missed.

Micheal was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. I only wonder what his last beer was - I hope it was something truly spectacular. RIP Micheal.

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