Parker Beam Has ALS

[cowdery]

Over the last year or so, there have been rumors and speculation about the health of long time Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam. Today, Heaven Hill announced that Parker is in the early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and the company plans to use the fall 2013 release of Parker's Heritage Collection to raise awareness of the disease and raise money for the ALS Association. They will donate $20 from each bottle sold and expect to raise $250,000. The ALS Association has established a special fund, known as Parker Beam's Promise of Hope Fund. Presumably, it will also be possible to make direct donations to the fund in Parker's honor.

This is sad news, of course, but Parker is still working and still intends to select the whiskey for Parker's Heritage Collection personally.

More here.

[WAINWRIGHT]

This is terrible news and I am sad to hear it,having meet both Craig and Parker in the past.I wish the best to him and his family,I hope he is able to continue his diligent work for HH for a great some time to come.I am glad to see a fund has already been lined up for his behalf,he has earned much respect within and outside of the industry and I hope his work in the future continues to shine.I wish him all the best,truly sad news and something that will stick with me for quite some time.

[HighInTheMtns]

Awful news for a very talented man who seems to have been doing some of his best work lately. Best wishes for him and his family, and kudos to Heaven Hill for showing their support in such a real way.

[smokinjoe]

Very sad news. My prayers will be with him and his family as he fights this terrible disease. And as Jim pointed out, Heaven Hill again is showing why they are such a great company run by really terrific people.

[JB64]

Horrible news. I wish Mr. Beam the best of luck in his quest to persevere against this terrible disease.

[MyOldKyDram]

Horrible news. Sad and terrible. Thoughts and prayers to Mr. Bean and his family.

[cowdery]

Part of this, and doing it this way, is because Heaven Hill felt it owed it to us, the fans of Parker and his whiskeys, to let us know his condition. There is a natural tendency to want to keep this sort of thing private, but they recognize that people genuinely care and they wanted to make sure they managed the news in an honest but sensitive way. I think they showed that Heaven Hill is a class operation, and all of the love we throw their way is well deserved.

[soonami]

As a scientist researching the cause and molecular mechanism of ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases, I know all too well what this diagnosis means. It is heartening that HH and the Beams are doing their best to raise awareness and fundraise for disease research. Research is moving fast to identify the genetic and environmental causes of disease, but our understanding of why motor neurons atrophy in ALS patients is still very limited.

I wish the best for Parker Beam and his family

[squire]

Regrettable news indeed, Mr. Parker has been a substantial influence in the industry.

[Enoch]

Per Bourbon Trail:

Heaven Hill announced today that Master Distiller Parker Beam has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Parker is a living legend, a Kentucky gentleman, charter member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame and one of the finest ambassadors for our signature industry. Here's a link to make a contribution to the Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund through the ALS Association to find a cure for this disease. Please make a donation and keep Parker and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

http://web.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Parkerbeam_Promise_Fund

[Bourbon Boiler]

Very sad to see that legend has this terrible disease. Hopefully a little good can come this awful situation, which is obviously the hope of the family and the company.

[Wryguy]

Hoping the best for Parker and his family. His work has brought joy to many, and here's to his continuing it for many years to come.

[Brisko]

I'm so glad to see Heaven Hill is doing right by him. I have yet to be unimpressed by the way they handle things, especially adversity.

They'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Craig is very blessed to be able to work along side his father for so long. I worked with my father for several years when I was younger, and I regret that I didn't appreciate the value of it at the time.