Jackson was born in
Wetherby, West Riding of Yorkshire. His father had his
Lithuanian Jewish surname Jakowitz to Jackson. The family moved to
Leeds after
World War II. The modern theory of
beer style is largely derived from this book, in which Jackson categorised a variety of beers from around the world in local style groups suggested by local customs and names. His work had a particular influence on the popularisation of the brewing culture in North America, and in 1989 he hosted a television series entitled
The Beer Hunter, which was shown on
Channel 4 in the UK and on the
Discovery Channel. It involved several episodes in which Jackson would visit a different country. Episodes featured beer barrels being lined with pitch, and iron foundry workers drinking "light" beer while they worked in hot conditions to quench thirst, practices which he knew were likely to be ended soon. (from left to right): summer glass,
tasting glass,
snifter,
session glass Shortly after, Jackson also helped create and worked with the only beer club he ever endorsed, Michael Jackson's
Rare Beer Club. Jackson was a reviewer of whiskies, in his book
The Malt Whisky Companion, he reviewed a large number of whiskies and gave them marks from 0–100, considering only those with a score above seventy-five worth purchasing. He received the award of "Master of the Quaich". Apart from his work as a journalist and a critic, he was also a fan of
rugby league. Jackson disclosed in December 2006 that he had been diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease over a decade earlier. He also had
diabetes. Jackson died of a heart attack in his home on the morning of 30 August 2007 at the age of 65. He was survived by his girlfriend of 26 years, Paddy Gunningham, and her daughter and grandchildren. ==Awards==