Mikkeller SD Mikkel Jackson NE IPA

Mikkeller SD Mikkel Jackson NE IPA. 7 % ABV. Mikkeller SD, San Diego, CA.

I was curious how many other brewers have done a beer in tribute to the late, great beer writer Michael Jackson, who passed on in 2007. If this isn't the first, it certainly has the funniest label. So, I searched on Untappd, and found that most of the beers that reference that name were alluding the more famous man(-child)(-molester), the self-described King of Pop. Perhaps breweries are unlikely to name a beer for the Englishman who pioneered beer writing back in the 70's because the masses would be confused and assume it was a nod to the gloved one. Every now and then the M.J. from Yorkshire's name will be evoked and someone, somewhere inevitably will say "wait, Michael Jackson wrote about beer? THAT  Michael Jackson?" Of course not! It's got to be as common a name as John Smith. Or James Brown.

I love Jackson's tomes, and there are at least five in my beer library. Unfortunately, they're not all likely to stay in print, as they have become dated, as breweries and styles come and go. They are a wealth of information, though, carefully and passionately researched, with deftly assembled sentences. His words flowed well and he never stooped to make jokes or cracks that didn't hold true to the content. I slammed one recent book shut when the author claimed that North Coast's Brother Thelonious was "as smooth as Monk's jazz." The beer may be smooth, but Monk's music was not. Or the scribe who wrote a brief bit about the kolsch style and could not resist making an awful comment concerning the consumption of after-shave. (Get it? Kolsch are from Cologne! Ha!) Put that one back on the shelf. The list goes on.

So, let's drink to one of the all-time greats. Maybe the G.O.A.T?

Highly hazed, golden toned, bright white head above.

In the nose: Soft and hoppy. Fuzzy. Citrus and tropical flavors pop out. Orange, lemon, and pineapple aplenty.

In the mouth: Jumps on the palate buzzing with hoppy delights, but steers clear of outright bitterness. Juicy stuff. Bright and lively. Medium bodied, and expertly drinkable. Gives the NE IPA drinker just what they want.

It's a good NE IPA, and you can drink it. Well, you can. I'm going to find a non-hazy IPA. Just for kicks. Got to be different.