Very, Very Good News

A couple of years ago, I was honoured to be asked to contribute to a volume of essays published in celebration of the life of Michael Jackson, the world’s pre-eminent beer and whisky writer. It was not to be a collection of reminiscences, but rather an assembly of critical writings on the two liquid subjects that Michael brought to such literary prominence. My august company within its pages included Michael’s partner, Carolyn Smagalski, and  (in alphabetical order) Dave Broom, Ian Buxton, John Hansell, Julie Johnson, Charles MacLean, Hans Offringa, F Paul Pacult, Roger Protz, Lucy Saunders, Conrad Seidl and Gavin D Smith.

The resulting book is entitled Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser, and I’m very pleased to report today that it is sold out!

Pleased, because the book, which was organized by Ian Buxton and supported by whisky brand, The Glenlivet, was published as a benefit for Parkinson’s UK, and the more books we sold, obviously, the more money the organization received.

Final accounting was emailed to me today by Ian and, in total, Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser sales raised in excess of £13,000 for Parkinson’s, which is by Ian’s estimate is around US$21,000.

I am very proud of this effort and beholden to Ian for all the work he put in to making an idea become a reality for a very good cause. To all who bought the book, thank you for the support and I hope you enjoyed what I think is a terrific bunch of essays. And to all my fellow authors, give yourselves a pat on the back!