The Book of Kells

A unique testament to Michael Jackson from the world's leading food and drinks writers. They are: Stephen Beaumont, Dave Broom, Ian Buxton, John Hansell, Julie Johnson, Charles MacLean, Hans Offringa, F Paul Pacult, Roger Protz, Lucy Saunders, Conrad Seidl, Carolyn Smagalski and Gavin D Smith.

The collaborators represent a roll of honour from food and drinks writing. All have donated an original essay - without fee - to Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser. The print edition book was published  on 27 March, 2009,  to mark Jackson’s birth date.  All proceeds from the publication, which was supported by leading single malt whisky The Glenlivet, were donated to the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the UK raising £12,000 for the cause. 

Editor Ian Buxton, who conceived the project, said “Michael Jackson dominated the world of both beer and whisky writing for two decades and was hugely influential in both ‘real ale’ and single malt whisky.  A complete generation of writers has cause to be grateful to him, not to mention countless brewers and distillers.  This new book honours that legacy.”

He concludes: “If variety is what you celebrate in your choice of whisky or beer, then this is truly a joyous and eclectic celebration of a life well-lived.  We have sought to honour Michael with words, fresh and new writing on beer and whisky that he would have enjoyed reading; that he would have respected; that he might even have wished to have written himself.”

The contents list is:  Introduction by Ian Buxton
Quintessentially Michael by Carolyn Smagalski
When's the Right Time for Barley Wine? by Stephen Beaumont
Three Stepps to ... by Dave Broom
Pants to Whisky: An Authentic Link by Ian Buxton
My Friend, Whisky by John Hansell
Thirty Years of American Beer by Julie Johnson
The Renaissance of Malt Whisky by Charles MacLean
A'bunadh: A Short Story by Hans Offringa
A Question of Priorities by F Paul Pacult
Lagering by Roger Protz
Ale-wyfes and Beer-chefs
The Evolution of Cooking with Beer by Lucy Saunders
In Search of German Beer Culture by Conrad Seidl
Thirty Years of British Beer by Gavin D Smith
Contributors' Biographies

With more than one million greeting cards sold, Scott Hilburn's The Argyle Sweater dresses-up the funny page with an argyle-wearing assortment of cavemen, bears, moths, and pompadour-having humans, along with an occasional evil scientist. Boasting a readership ranging from The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times to the Calgary Herald, Hilburn's colorful cartoon panel fuses his visceral talent and bold pen stroke. What results is a cerebrally astute cartoon panel that comments on popular culture, human nature, and sporks in a clever, spontaneously rich way.