Written by Every beer geek has likely heard of the late, great, Micheal Jackson (we know its not the singing dude), but maybe in this fast-paced technological age of ours, its been awhile since we’ve picked up a book of his. Micheal Jackson was the author of several great beer books including Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide.
Apparently, (and I didn’t know this) he was also the host of a TV show, ‘The Beer Hunter’. (Looks like from the 80′s or 90′s?)
Anyway, here’s the bit of the first installment, “The Burgundies of Belgium Part 1″ where you’ll see “…how the spontaneously fermented lambic is made, and attend a beer dinner consisting of dishes like filet of cod in a sabayon of Brugse Tripel beer and served with hop shoots and accompanied by Duvel ale.”
Talk about food pairing!
There’s actually a whole poop-load of great Micheal Jackson videos over there on YouTube. Check them out before they’re taken down for some reason or another!
I saw these on TV when they were first broadcast (in I think 1989), the episode on Czech beers is particularly nostalgic because the breweries he visits no longer exist in their current form. After 40 years of ‘benign neglect’ under communism, the breweries sold out to western brewers and sold much of their heritage down the river.
Even Pilsner Urquell, where Jackson see their old pitch lined lagering tanks… now stainless steel. Ah the march of ‘progress’.
God bless you Michael, we miss you.
@Bob, thanks. There’s a lot of beer heritage that newer fans like me aren’t even aware of. I really enjoyed this video, and you get a real sense of his passion and knowledge. Great stuff.
Speaking of beer heritage… let’s also not forget a fellow New Jerseyan who was far ahead of his time: the late James Robertson, who was definitely a seminal figure in the now practically commonplace world that is “beer writing”.
His beer guides and articles are still interesting reading 35 years later, even though many of the great (and some not so great) beers he profiles and reviews have long faded into the mist.
I will always remember some very lively and enlightening beer discussions we shared at the OLD BAY restaurant in New Brunswick (which was THE New Jersey beer destination in the late 80′s through the 90′s.
Here’s a toast to Jim!
@The Professor – Thanks for that! I’ll admit that I never heard of James Robertson, and I’m from New Jersey! That said, I think I’ll start looking.
Wow. Absolutely great find. There goes my whole afternoon.
Ha! Awesome stuff, right?
I’m going to steal your idea (and give you credit) on my site – I’m going to assemble these into episodes with each of the 3 parts on one page, for a total of 6 posts – I think that will be easier than scavenging through YouTube to find them all. Is that cool with you?
I’m also going to be posting them over time, (weeks) but I do like your format too. I think the more people who see it the better, so go for it!
I might have found a better set… without subtitles… I’ll try uploading them to YouTube.
http://www.vimeo.com/26106415
http://www.vimeo.com/26104348 (the GBBF was held in Leeds in 1988 and 1989 – I first attended in London in 1991)