Grill Maestro

When I was in college, two friends of mine on my freshman dorm floor introduced me to the idea of brewing beer (one of the two, Abe, is now a brewmaster at Trailhead Brewing Company I think), and it’s a hobby I still enjoy even today. In fact I have a few bottles of my latest brew sitting in the basement right now, waiting to be popped open. Well, one of the bigger names in the beer business, for those who are aficionados, is Michael Jackson - also known as the Beer Hunter. For anyone who wants to truly understand beer, reading books by this guy was one of the quickest ways to tap into the mind of a true master of a topic and he was an excellent writer. I remember picking up a book and, like many people, wondering how this guy had the misfortune of having the same moniker as the other Michael Jackson but he took it in stride:

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. (from his website)

Mr. Jackson passed away last week of a heart attack in his home and will surely be missed. (news)