2:40 Distractions: Michael Jackson, King of Beers, R.I.P.

No, not that Michael Jackson; and not that King of Beers.  British journalist Michael Jackson, pictured here, is credited with giving beer a level of credibility that resulted in, among other things, the microbrew movement and the international availability of Good Beer.  He has died, aged 65.

While his writing was often hokey and persnickety (at the same time!), still one had to admit he was usually right on.  And seriously, if it weren't for Michael Jackson, we'd be stuck drinking that other King of Beers, alas still alive and well.

Links: obit; his homepage

Thanks for the headsup, Jeff Moore

Comments

[hscs]

It's tough to come up with a critic of anything who made a bigger impact on consumers. The craft brew industry is more than a niche, and it actually sells what the people want. Pete Coors isn't going anywhere (besides Hell), but the alternatives are amazing thanks to Jackson.

[William Morgan]

Hokey & persnickety? What planet are you from?

From dictionary.com:

hok·ey
–adjective hok·i·er, hok·i·est.
1. cloyingly sentimental; mawkish.
2. obviously contrived, esp. to win popular appeal or support; phony.

per·snick·et·y
–adjective Informal.
1. overparticular; fussy.
2. snobbish or having the aloof attitude of a snob.
3. requiring painstaking care.

I've read all his books, cover to cover, multiple times, as well as many of his newspaper and magazine articles and online writings, and I never found Jackson's writing to be overly sentimental or phony, nor was it fussy or snobbish. Quite the contrary in fact, his writing was down to earth, genuine and accessible, as was the man himself. Many years ago I witnessed an obnoxious and drunken American woman fall in Jackson's lap during an interview he was conducting, and he reacted with grace and charm. Perhaps you are mistaking simple civilized manners for snobbery and heartfelt enthusiasm for sentimentality. If that's true, then I'll raise my glass to all the snobs and sentimental fools out there - we need more like them. Here's to you Michael! Cheers then.