PRESS RELEASE from Oxford Brookes University
22 June 2008

The ‘Beer Hunter’ archive comes to Oxford Brookes

Oxford Brookes University Library’s impressive collection of food and drink related special collections has been boosted further by a donation from the estate of a leading expert on beer and whisky who died last year.

Paddy Gunningham and Sam Hopkins, the executors of the estate of the late Michael Jackson, known as ‘The Beer Hunter’ have donated the contents of his office to the University. Also known as ‘The Whisky Chaser’, he was a prolific journalist and lecturer, whose books on beer and whisky have sold over three million copies worldwide and in fifteen languages.

The contents of the office, to be known as The Michael Jackson Collection, comprise 1,500 books from the expert’s personal library on beer and whisky, as well as 300 copies of his own books. There is also much research material, hand-written notebooks, a selection of awards including four Glenfiddich awards for food writing, as well as photographs, press and book reviews.

Don Marshall, of Oxford Brookes University Library, said: ‘We are very excited to receive this gift of the books and papers of ‘The Beer Hunter’. The Michael Jackson Collection will work in parallel with the National Brewing Library, already located in Oxford Brookes University Library and jointly managed by members of the Library and the Institute of Brewing & Distilling. It will also complement other special collections in food and drink - one of the key areas of research excellence in the University.’

Frances Kelly, Michael Jackson’s literary executor and agent, said: ‘The executors are delighted that this material will now be stored, organised and made available, as is their wish, for research by a new generation of whisky and beer writers, students and the drinks industry.

1. ‘The Beer Hunter’ and ‘The Whisky Chaser’ are registered trademarks.
2. For more information about Michael Jackson’s writing contact Frances Kelly, literary agent, on 020 8549 7830.
3. For more information about the Michael Jackson collection, or for a print resolution photograph of Michael Jackson, contact Zoë Forbes, Oxford Brookes University Press Office, on 01865 484454, zforbes@brookes.ac.uk
4. Further details about all the special collections in the University Library can be found at: www.brookes.ac.uk/library/speccoll.html