Michael Jackson honoured by award
Beer writer Michael Jackson will be honoured by the British Guild of Beer Writers by having its premier award named after him.
The Guild will re-name the Beer Writer of the Year Award the Michael Jackson Gold Tankard Award. The announcement will be made at a party in London on 3 August, held on the eve of the UK's biggest beer event — the Great British Beer Festival.
Top beer expert Michael Jackson died aged 65 in August 2007. He had dedicated more than 30 years to the pursuit and documentation of the world's finest beers and whiskies, and wrote many books on both subjects.
Jackson became known as the most widely-published and influential author on beer. He developed a cult TV series known as The Beer Hunter, and contributed to countless publications.
He was especially well-known for his particular passion - the speciality brews of Belgium, which prompted his bestselling Great Beers of Belgium.
The Guild has also selected 21 beer for 21 years to mark the occasion since it first came into being in 1988.
"Back in 1988, the inspiration, as it still is today, for many writers was Michael Jackson's sublime writing and broadcasting," said British Guild of Beer Writers chairman Tim Hampson.
"He wrote in depth about different brewing techniques, ingredients, flavour profiles, cultural differences, and food parings.
"Michael was the Guild's first chairman and his pre-eminence helped give the Guild great credibility.
"And I can think of no better way of marking Michael's contribution to beer writing and to the Guild than to announce that in our 21st year our Beer Writer of the Year Award — given each year for the very best beer writing - will now be known as the Michael Jackson Gold Tankard Award."
