Michael Jackson, the Beer Hunter – lest we forget

June 26, 11:09 AMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Michael Jackson, the Bard of Beer passed away in his home in London in
2007.  Beer drinkers will forever owe gratitude for such a huge figure in
the world of beer.  Photos by Charlie Papazian

With the recent death of Michael Jackson the pop star, I’ve had a number of requests regarding remembering the Beer World’s Michael Jackson who passed away in August 2007.  Here is the commentary I wrote in October 2007 as a tribute to Michael Jackson, lest we forget

I’ll have a Chiswick, please.

It’s been a few weeks since Michael Jackson has left us.  I’m listening to the radio and there is someone discussing British business..   It is not Michael, yet the accent is clearly distinguishable as the same as Michael’s.   He must be from Yorkshire.  It strikes me as thought provoking how the small things in the world begin to remind me of Michael and how much I miss him.  As with this radio clip it wasn’t necessary the content, but the accent of the whole thing that triggered the feeling that Michael has left us with so much more than the obvious.

In London for Michael’s funeral I gathered with others before and after the ceremonies and tributes.  We were in Michael’s “house.”  That is to say we were at the Andover Arms in Hammersmith; the local which Michael has called his own for the last decade. 
What would Michael have had?” I ask.  “Chiswick Bitter was his beer,” replied the keeper.  Without hesitation I responded, “I’ll have a Chiswick please.”  I could hear myself say it, but all I hear was Michael’s accent and intonation of the same words ringing exactly as I had heard him speak them on various occasions here at the Andover Arms.

Photo left: Michael at his favorite pub in 1981.

It was an informal gathering of his friends from far and near.  At the Andover Arms we toasted and revisited memories of Michael throughout the evening.  For me it was an emotional rollercoaster.  Feeling privileged simply to have a beer in Michael’s “house” I found myself in animated conversation one moment and becoming silent and contemplative in the next.
Every time I ordered a pint I only heard Michael’s perfect intonation of the same, “I’ll have a Chiswick please.”   This was his place in all its simplicity and comfort.

It’s been nearly a month now since I heard the news.   My thoughts have settled.  My respect and admiration grow daily.  I try to recognize the essence of what Michael has done for us.  Michael empowered brewers and beer enthusiasts throughout the world.  He enabled beer enthusiasts to “build their own houses;” the “locals” and beer establishments that respect beer.  He empowered brewers to craft beer in a manner that commanded respect. 

He empowered us all with his journalistic skill, his contagious enthusiasm, his personal caring and his signature “drive.”   His message to us all…. “Respect beer.”   “Build your house.”  “Care about beer.”

Dwelling on his accomplishments naturally causes me to digress about Michael (something which he loved to do).  He was a driven person to many of us, yet the private Michael did take time for pause.   I recall the days 2 or 3 morning newspaper’s piled high on his kitchen table.  His companion cat greeting you atop the small sunlit table.   A large pot of coffee always sustained the morning.   In his early days as a beer and beverage journalist his office was in his home, crammed into a tiny spare room.  Later as circumstances permitted he was able to move his office into a garage next door (Which he later proudly discovered was part of a century old neighborhood brewery).  Wherever he was, whether it was his “house” or yours, Michael offered his hospitality to everyone around the globe.   He was always immersed in piles of words, literature and samples… Ohhh did he have a stash of samples that would be the envy of us all.

We all know that Michael roamed the world of beer.  We gave tribute to Michael at this year’s Great American Beer Festival.  It was a fitting event.  We know of his respect for the long tradition of beers in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the UK, and elsewhere in the world.  But here, American has become a world class beer-destination in large part due to Michael’s inspiration writing and nurturing; a place of all beers, where beer enthusiast celebrate the beer traditions of other countries while championing the quality and diversity of it’s own homegrown brewers.  

Michael embraced the early days of the American brewing renaissance as though it were a child.  In the early 1980s he recognized the embryonic American attitude which was to foster the creativity, innovation, fun, reverence, tradition and respect for beer.  It was the respect for beer which was so fundamental to Michael’s journalistic premise.  

As an evaluator of beer, he would often remind us, evaluate the beer – do not tear it apart.  Evaluate on its merits not on its faults.  Take the time to appreciate the effort of the brewer.  Take the time to embrace beer in all of its personalities.
He was more than a “beer guy” and that part about creativity, innovation, fun, reverence and respect mirrored his approach to life and the people he encountered the world over.

For many of us, it was a rare treat to actually buy Michael a beer.  You see, usually we were tripping over each other simply to have him try the beer we were drinking.   But on those rare occasions when we would pay for Michael’s beer, it was a privilege.   And equally so, it was a privilege when he might have bought us a beer.  From my perspective they were the most memorable “free” beers I’ve ever had in my life.

On the Brewers Association’s website we have posted a page called “Remembering Michael.”  There has been an outpouring of contributions and remembrances from many individuals around the world.  Here are a few poignant excerpts from others that help capture what I think Michael has meant to so many of us.

• He was the center of my Beer Universe.  There will never be another Michael Jackson.  To borrow a musical term, he kicked the door down and everyone else just walked through.  He pitched that first yeast slurry in a million minds of wort.  He wrote about beer with such clarity that you could actually smell it, taste it, and feel it in your mouth with just the words from a page.
• He took creative descriptors out of the domain of wine critics and used them to open our eyes to what beer could be. Describing a smoky porter as being "redolent of fireplace embers", or, my favorite, a rich imperial stout as being "reminiscent of the burnt currants on the corners of grandmother's Christmas pudding." I am sitting there by the fireplace now, toasting Michael
• We lost our Elvis
• I feel like I missed out on knowing one of the nicest people that our planet has to offer.
• … his love for people was infinite, each contact infusing him with newfound adrenaline.  Satisfaction would glow for hours in his eyes as he spoke of the people he had met, be they brewers, chemists, fellow journalists, bar owners, or fans. 
• No, we've lost our John Lennon
• He always tasted a beer on its merits, not its style. He always looked for the positive attributes in a beer.
• Though not a brewer himself, Mr. Jackson was a significant inspiration for adventure and quality.
• It’s like when Jerry checked out
• A never-ending toast to Mr. Jackson. A rare person, whose personal passion connected with so many of us, thanks for all the stories & knowledge.
• It's hard to imagine a single soul who did more for an industry. It's a remarkable achievement that reminds me of one of my favorite stories, Jean Giono's The Man Who Planted Trees.  The story is about how the dedication and perseverance of one man — which could be you or me — can really make a difference. It's almost impossible to imagine what the American craft beer industry would be like today without Michael Jackson.
• We are now enjoying a renaissance of beer and brewing, and one man, more than any other is responsible for the change.  Michael came along just at the right time but left too early.
• Our toast to Michael is this. Michael, we remained committed to inspire, as you had done so graciously yourself. As the bubbles rise perpetually from our glass, may you too come to find rest on the pillowy froth of sublime content.
• Three memories stirred by recent events...

I.
"Where is my beer glass!"
I felt the fear and turmoil
"Here you are Michael."

II.
incredulous tongue
what's the matter with fruity?
pale ale makes me laugh

III.
bent, insightful, wry
barley made man the hunter
the pint is empty

Son of Yorkshire and Bard of Beer, you will be missed.

Michael, you have left us with so much to celebrate – You will never be forgotten and will be in our thoughts and hearts for the rest of our lives.  

Simply said, thank you Michael.