Have One for Michael Jackson

I’ve got to cross town later on to Pacific Palisades to a party, and while I’m keen on the party, I’m not keen on the journey – It is super hot outside, and I have to go via Santa Monica to pick up some tarts to take along¹. Temperatures are sure to go over 100^oF again today, and so everyone and their dog will be heading West to the beach.

I was about to begin my morning mission to get supplies for the party, and I heard that Michael Jackson died last week. Not that Michael Jackson, the other one (see below). It’s quite a coincidence, since I was particularly on the prowl for two of my favourite Belgians, Duvel and Hoegaarden, and maybe one of the excellent Sam Smith’s stouts (from England). I was successful. (The excellent Bev’ Mo’ was well-stocked, and I was the first in the door when they opened.)

(If I may be so bold, you don’t really understand what beer can be if you have not tried Belgian beers. They’re the finest makers on the planet, without a doubt (others may disagree). Even if you think you don’t like beer, there’s probably one they produce that you’d like. The two on the right are among the easier to get favourites from there. Drop what you’re doing and rush out and get some. Go! Now!)

Still don’t know who I’m talking about? There’s a Washington Post article by Adam Bernstein here, an AP article by Thomas Wagner here in the Guardian and there’s an NPR piece from Weekend Edition here. From the Washington Post article:

Mr. Jackson, a British journalist, was also dubbed the “Bard of Beer” as he hopped around the world to write, lecture and (to much envy) sample dozens of distinctive brews every day. His books, which many brewers used as reference guides, sold millions of copies and were translated into more than a dozen languages.

Starting in the mid-1970s, Mr. Jackson was credited with reviving worldwide interest in a range of beer styles and traditions, some long-forgotten. He also helped popularize the Campaign for Real Ale and the U.S. microbrew movements, which championed better-quality beer.

He said he wanted his work “to elevate the understanding, the diversity and the nobility of beer.”

I actually had no idea that he was a beer champion. I first heard of him about 14 years ago when I was a postdoc in Princeton at the IAS and discovering single malt scotch whiskey during those very cold Winter times by the lovely log fires the apartments there used to have. His name is associated with championing those, you see, as I learned on one of my pilgrimages up to Manhattan to Park Avenue Liquor (which, of course, is on Madison Avenue) to get some of my favourites. But whiskey stories are for another time, I think. I’m just pleased to know he also celebrated and encouraged the appreciation of beer, and very happy to know that (of course) Belgian beers are among his favourites. I shall have to browse his books on the subject to learn more about him and what he learned from his travels and tastings.

So, given that it is a big holiday weekend over here in the USA, and so many of you will be going to events, barbecues, parties and other things where you’ll need a nice cool drink of something, at least for one of those drinks, put aside the water (Bud, Miller, etc…. all much the same thing) and try something a bit more flavourful, to celebrate Michael Jackson.

-cvj

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1. Oh, stop it! – I would make some, but it is far too hot to make pastry. I know a
   place to get some really simple sinfully delicious proper English ones. [return]

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