[Homebrewers] Michael Jackson

[David Brattstrom]

To those of us who have been around Michael Jackson any length of time lately,
we’ve know something was affecting his health, but beyond 
speculation, no one
knew for sure what. Michael has been understandably protective of his privacy
and naturally everyone around him has respected that desire to keep his 
private
life just that. I have just learned that Michael Jackson will be announcing
through his Real Beer Club that he is and has been suffering for at least a
decade from Parkinson’s Disease. An old girlfriend of mine’s mother 
has it,
as more famously does another Michael, in this case Michael J. Fox, who has
helped bring awareness of it to the forefront. At present there is no cure but
much has been learned about managing the disease through the use of 
specialized
drugs, such as L-dopa. Many are also hopeful that stem cell research may offer
an opportunity to learn more about Parkinson’s that could ultimately lead to
a cure.

Michael will likely make a full press release available after the 
holidays with
additional details. For now, let’s send positive thoughts Michael’s 
way and
give him the love and support he so richly deserves. Michael Jackson has done
more to support and nourish the craft beer industry, especially in its early
days, than any other single person. I, for one, first learned about 
better beer
from the first edition of his World Guide to Beer while living in New 
York City
in 1978. Having first met him almost fifteen years ago, I feel very fortunate
to know him. Though it may sound cliched, he is one of the most generous,
gifted people I have ever known. The fact that he has written so much so
wonderfully while at the same time he’s been battling the effects of
Parkinson’s disease quite frankly makes his accomplishments all the more
remarkable and laudable. Please join me in wishing Michael Jackson all 
the best
this holiday and throughout the coming year as his private battle becomes a
public one, with all the difficulties that will add to his daily life.

The following letter is being sent to Michael Jackson’s Rare Beer 
Club members
today:

     I have been asked to write to you by Michael Jackson — who is currently
traveling and researching on behalf of the Rare Beer Club.

     Michael is notorious among his friends for his passionate 
commitment to his
work, and for the fearsome schedule he sets himself. What he has kept from us
is the fact that he has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for at least
a decade and perhaps twice as long.

     During that time he has written several thousand tasting notes and several
hundred articles and has also presented scores of tutored tastings, speeches
and book-signings around the world. Further, Michael has produced new books
such as Ultimate Beer, The Great Beer Guide, Scotland and its Whiskies, and
Whisky — The Definitive World Guide which, incidentally, was named best
drinks book of 2006 in the James Beard Award and also the recipient of three
other international honors. He has this fall compiled an anthology of his
writing for Slow Food and completed a further revision of the fifth edition of
The Great Beers of Belgium; his Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch is 
also in
its fifth edition.

     Michael has great praise for the work of the medical profession in the
development of treatments to combat Parkinson’s. He has recently been
prescribed some new medication, and the calibration of doses has caused some
problems, which are gradually being ironed out.

     He tells us: “When everything is in place, I can run almost as well as I
did when I played Rugby League. The problems arise when I become absorbed in
writing, or in a conversation, and forget my medication. Even the slightest
delay can make me very unsteady on my feet — unable to walk at times — and
slurred in my speech. Understandably, people think I am drunk, 
especially given
my profession. I am not. My wild days were long ago. My writing has always
fostered the notion of tasting more and drinking less, and I am true to that
philosophy. The Gods have a sense of irony in making me look drunk when at my
intake of alcohol is at its most modest.”

     As you can tell, Michael is in excellent spirits and very much 
looks forward
to the next chapter of his life which he obviously expects to be 
productive. In
addition to being a great example by the way he has lived with this disease,
Michael is already talking about projects that will benefit others with
Parkinson’s disease and you can be assured that we will be hearing a 
lot more
from him in that regard in the future.

     I know that you will all join us in wishing Michael the best during this
holiday season and into 2007 and beyond as he continues to lead the discovery
of exciting new beers!

     Best regards,

     Robert Imeson, President
     The Michael Jackson Rare Beer Club

To learn more about donating to the National Parkinson Foundation, visit their
website. Quoting David Brattstrom <davidb at cdepot.net>: