Michael Jackson (2) (1942–2007)
Author of Malt Whisky Companion
For other authors named Michael Jackson, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Author and journalist Michael Jackson was born in Yorkshire, England on March 27, 1942. He wrote numerous books about beer and whiskey and was considered an authority in the area. He suffered from Parkinson's disease and died on August 30, 2007. (Bowker Author Biography)
Image credit: Crop from bigger picture. Taken by Päivi Kuusjärvi, Helsinki Beer Festival, April 2004.
Series
Works by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions (1993) 246 copies
The Running Press Pocket Guide to Beer : The Connoisseur's Companion to More than 2,000 Beers of the World (2000) 30 copies
The beer hunter 4 copies
De grote Belgische bieren een volledige gids en een hulde aan een unieke cultuur (1991) — Author — 3 copies
Whisky O Melhor Guia Mundial 1 copy
Los cócteles 1 copy
Whisky Atlas 1 copy
Les Bières (Guide mondial) 1 copy
Associated Works
Radical Brewing: Recipes, Tales and World-Altering Meditations in a Glass (2004) — Foreword, some editions — 250 copies
Zymurgy for the Homebrewer and Beer Lover: The Best Articles and Advice (1998) — Contributor — 22 copies
The Beer Lover's Guide to the USA: Brewpubs, Taverns, and Good Beer Bars (2000) — Foreword, some editions — 9 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Jackson, Michael
- Legal name
- Jackson, Michael James
- Birthdate
- 1942-03-27
- Date of death
- 2007-08-30
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Country (for map)
- England, UK
- Birthplace
- Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England, UK
- Place of death
- London, England, UK
- Cause of death
- heart attack
- Places of residence
- London, England, UK
- Occupations
- writer
beer critic - Relationships
- Gunningham, Paddy (partner)
Members
Reviews
This Michael Jackson was one of the foremost authorities on beer until his death from Parkinson's in 2007. His beer companion takes you on a tour of beer styles around the world, giving you the history and characteristics of the style, along with notable producers. Early on in my beer education I studied this tome so that I could recognize some of the best beers when perusing a store or a good bar's beer list. This book has been slightly superseded informationally by [book: The Brewmaster's Table], but still has plenty more pictures and maps. I'm glad to have both books.… (more)
I found this in an antique shop and the cool thing was it was signed by the author (“To Eden and Kevin, Cheers!, 10 Nov, ,99”… so I haven’t decided if I’m going to change my name to Eden or Kevin). Jackson was quite the researcher. I’d heard of him but not read any of his books. This is the second edition, 1997, full of beers of the times. Jackson died in 2007 and might well have been surprised at the explosion of crafts in America. Details on styles - the history of the style, origins, regions historically produced and and section for selected noted producers of the style, some quite detailed. Cool book.
Sticky notes:
In his introductory section - Never ask for a "beer" - Jackson said
And on barleywine, or, rather barley wine, Jackson recalls
One funny truism, on "The uses of beer": "Some people drink beer to get drunk, though it is an inefficient means of doing so." Quite inefficient, though there are some higher gravity beers out there now that rival the wine levels.
The rest of the sticky notes are for my use (producers to look up, regions to investigate someday) and of little value in a "review" so cheers and here's to beer!… (more)
Sticky notes:
In his introductory section - Never ask for a "beer" - Jackson said
"Do you ever drink wine?" people ask me, as though beer were a prison rather than a playground [...] Whatever is argued about other pleasures, it is not necessary to be monogamous in the choice of drink. Beer is by far the more extensively consumed, but less adequately honored. In a small way, I want to help put right that injustice."as though beer were a prison"! I really like a good red wine, but beer is so much more varied in flavor and experience, so ... I choose the experience!
And on barleywine, or, rather barley wine, Jackson recalls
When the style became popular among revivalist brewers in the United States in the 1980s, the various authorities governing labeling were uncomfortable about a beer being described as a wine. This led to the cumbersome description "barley wine-style ale" on some labelsSome Puritans are still in charge of the label approvals and the cumbersome practice continues.
One funny truism, on "The uses of beer": "Some people drink beer to get drunk, though it is an inefficient means of doing so." Quite inefficient, though there are some higher gravity beers out there now that rival the wine levels.
The rest of the sticky notes are for my use (producers to look up, regions to investigate someday) and of little value in a "review" so cheers and here's to beer!… (more)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 63
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 2,733
- Popularity
- #9,400
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 27
- ISBNs
- 481
- Languages
- 19
- Favorited
- 2
I can see why it is such a classic of the field. It's beautifully made, and must have been trying comprehensive for its day. It goes without saying, of course, that the whisky world has changed immensely over the last 15 or so years. That is no fault of the book.
The intense reverence for Scotland is inevitable, I suppose, but there are clear factual errors and exaggerations that are simply eye roll inducing. No, Scotland is not the world's biggest barley producer...
The rest of the world is treated largely as a footnote, or as an exercise in tired cliche (American pioneer spirit, or "losing face, a fate worse than death" in Japan).
There may not be more beautiful whisky books, but there are plenty of ones with all the same information, without the outdated attitudes.… (more)