August 30, 2007 -- Despite knowing that Michael had been suffering from Parkinson’s for many years, to say the news came as a shock is a dramatic understatement. I last saw him at the Great American Beer Festival in the fall of 2006, and although he was quite shaky at the time, he said his then-current condition was a result of his being less than rigorous in the application of his medications. I had been told be people who had seen him since that he appeared to be doing much better.

In my humble estimation, not enough can be said about the contributions Michael made to the beer and whisky writing fields. It is no exaggeration to say that but for his pioneering work, I and possibly hundreds of other drinks writers would not be doing what we do. But Michael not only blazed a trail, he was also a supportive and encouraging mentor of sorts to me and many others like me, not to mention a tantalizingly enjoyable writer to read. He gave willingly of his time and himself to further the cause of quality beer and spirits, and indeed, the enjoyment of life.

Michael, yours was a life very well lived, and you will be very much missed.

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