RIP Martyn Cornell: Pioneering Beer Writer Dies at 72
Story by:
Chris Guest
Legendary beer writer and foremost historian Martyn Cornell passed away earlier this week at the age of 72, and the beer world has been rocked by his loss.
Martyn founded the influential Zythophile blog, and he was a founding member of the British Guild of Beer Writers as well as an exhaustive supporter of other beer writers and historians the world over.
He authored multiple fascinating beer tomes throughout his life including: Beer: The Story of the Pint, Strange Tales of Ale, Amber Gold & Black, Brewing in Hertfordshire and, most recently, Around the World in 80 Beers.
Martyn had completed a new book at the time of his passing entitled Porter and Stout: A Complete History, which was slated to be published on June 4.
As a contributor to BC, Martyn was an esoterica expert par excellence. He was able to illuminate the dustiest details of beer history and turn them into sparkling jewels that shone on the page like sunlight through a pint glass.
His most recent piece for us, regarding the famed “Hymn to Ninkasi,” debunked this “original beer recipe” with respectful panache and jocular aplomb – a delicate combination that few writers can hope to achieve.
The Beer Connoisseur won’t be the same without Martyn Cornell, and neither will this planet. RIP.
If you would like to read Martyn’s entire body of work on our site, please proceed here: https://beerconnoisseur.com/author/martyn-cornell/
Tributes to Martyn from around the world of beer:
“We at The Beer Connoisseur are deeply saddened by the news of Martyn Cornell’s passing. Martyn was a distinguished historian and a leading chronicler of the beer world. Martyn’s work for us at The Beer Connoisseur was always incredibly well researched, brimming with his signature rapier wit, and overflowing with his deep love for the intricate history of beer and brewing. His work enlightened and motivated an entire generation of beer enthusiasts, and his legacy will endure through his timeless and expertly crafted writing. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones, friends, and the countless readers worldwide who cherished his insights. He will be missed.”
– Lynn Davis
Founder, Editor & Publisher
of The Beer Connoisseur
“Martyn was very much at the top of his game, and it’s a tragedy to lose him. We’ll miss his cheery presence (though when he was tackling poor history, he wasn’t always, strictly speaking, kind) and folks like me will miss his help and support. Beyond that, his sudden death means we’ve lost all those myths he had yet to debunk, all the mysteries he had yet to uncover. It is a greater loss than the average beer drinker—the one who more or less knows the story of IPA but has never heard of Martyn Cornell—even realizes. I am feeling much lonelier this morning living in a world without Martyn, and I will be missing him for years to come.”
– Jeff Alworth
Beervanablog.com
“It’s fair to say that few writers have had so much influence on the way we talk about beer and the stories we tell, and the beer writing world will miss his counsel, knowledge and experience.”
– The British Guild of Beer Writers
“We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Martyn Cornell. A celebrated beer and pub historian, Martyn was a titan of the U.K. beer writing scene.”
– CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale)
“I’ve shared many happy days and nights with Martyn over the years as we toured breweries or attended tastings. He will be much missed. It’s a terrible shame that he will not see the publication of his latest book, which – typically – he spent years researching and writing.”
– Jeff Evans
Columnist for Drinks Retailing
Comments 0
No Readers' Pick yet.