Alan D. Eames, known as the Indiana Jones of Beer, died Saturday in Dummerston, Vt. Eames, 59, was an internationally recognized beer historian, author, consultant, and beer anthropologist.
He was the author of The Secret Life of Beer and several other books, and wrote articles for many different magazines.
Eames began working in the beer industry, researching beer and writing about it in the 1970s as the time interest in non-industrial beer was on the rise. He founded Three Dollar Dewey’s in Portland, Maine, one of America’s first prominent beer bars.
He lectured often as many institutions such as The New England College of Medicine, The Culinary Institute of America, the Departments of Anthropology at Brown University, University of Georgia, and The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
His interest in beer was infectious. He appeared often on National Public Radio, on major TV networks and many other broadcasts, such as Nippon Television’s documentary The World Beer Traveler for Tokyo Television. He was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence in Historical Research by the Brewers Association of Europe, which included a travel and study grant to seven countries.
He’s currently seen on The History Channel’s Modern Marvels – Brewing.
Eames provided the concepts, historical research and marketing ideas for introducing Xingu Black Beer – owned and imported by Amazon Inc. and his former wife, Anne Latchis. For over 30 years he was a consultant to numerous beer ventures, including notable breweries and importers such as Guinness Imports, Beck’s, and Pete’s Wicked Ale.