Sir Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer KT, a trailblazer in the world of brewing, hugely respected human rights activist and a relentless voice for justice and equality has passed away age 85.
Geoff, as he was more commonly known, migrated to London from Jamaica in 1955 aged 14. And he went on to have the most decorated of careers. Following the completion of joint PhD in grain science and technology at Heriot-Watt College and Edinburgh University, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Heriot-Watt University, he joined the Brewing Research Foundation.
It was here he discovered the Barley Abrasion Process in 1969, a process patented and used by the British brewing industry. He was also the first person to utilise the Scanning Electron Microscope to study malt production in detail.
He delivered the keynote at our inaugural Brewers Congress in 2017 and was generous time and time again fielding calls and emails from the team here in the years since sharing his knowledge and expertise.
In a statement Heriot-Watt University said it was saddened by the death of its esteemed Chancellor and a pioneer of the brewing industry.
“Throughout his life, Sir Geoff earned a reputation as a trailblazer and inspiration within higher education and in wider society, “they said.
Leading the tributes today is friend and colleague Professor Dawn Maskell from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, who is also the Director of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD).
She explained: “Everyone at the ICBD is deeply saddened by the death of our founder and true industry pioneer, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer. His vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing the Centre’s global reputation, and his groundbreaking contributions to brewing science will continue to influence the field for generations.
“Sir Geoff’s impact on brewing and distilling is immeasurable. His pioneering research at Heriot-Watt University in the 1960s led to the discovery of the barley abrasion process; an innovation that remains central to modern malting, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness across the global industry.
“Beyond his scientific achievements, Sir Geoff was a humanitarian and a powerful advocate for equality. He made history as Scotland’s first Black professor and was later honoured with The Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest order of chivalry, for his exceptional service to society and public life.
“The greatest privilege of my career has been to know Sir Geoff not only as a treasured colleague but also as a dear friend. His natural warmth, formidable intellect, and unwavering generosity of spirit left a lasting impression on all who had the good fortune to meet him. This was especially true for our students, many of whom have gone on to build remarkable careers in malting, brewing, distilling the allied trades around the world and continue to credit Sir Geoff for inspiring their passion and excellence.
“Our thoughts are with Sir Geoff’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
In 1961, Sir Geoff enrolled at the University of Leicester, graduating with a degree in botany. He then began his long association with Heriot-Watt University when he embarked on a PhD in grain science and technology, which he completed in 1967. This was carried out jointly between Heriot-Watt College, as it was known then, and the University of Edinburgh.
From 1968 to 1977, he worked at the Brewing Research Foundation in Surrey where he used the fundamental research from his PhD studies to develop a pioneering barley abrasion process and pioneered the use of the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains. This process was subsequently adopted by some of the UK’s biggest breweries.
Sir Geoff returned to Heriot-Watt University in 1977 as a lecturer where, among his many achievements, he secured industry funding to establish the ICBD, which continues as a unique teaching and research facility.
In 1989, Sir Geoff became Scotland’s first black professor and continued to teach at Heriot-Watt University until his retirement in 2005. He was subsequently appointed Professor Emeritus at the University’s School of Life Sciences, and, in 2014, he was Knighted for services to human rights, science and charity.
He would return in 2021 to take on the role of Chancellor, a position he would embrace until his death.
Sir Geoff is survived by his wife, Margaret Palmer, their three children, and grandchildren.
Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and the founder of the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling (MJF), called him a “total badass”. We couldn’t agree more and he’ll be dearly missed.
Image credit: Heriot-Watt University
