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Phil Farrell

Phil Farrell's picture

Circling the globe many times and educating his beer palate for nearly four decades, Phil is a former Vice President of the Beer Judge Certification Program, a Grand Master V level beer judge as well as a cider and mead judge.  He has been homebrewing for over 25 years, winning medals and striking gold at the American Homebrewers Association national competition. As Brewmaster of Stillfire Brewing in Suwanee, GA, he has continued his winning ways in local and national competitions.  He believes the perfect pint is out there waiting for him somewhere on planet Earth. 

 

Phil Farrell BJCP Certification

My articles

Founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers
Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers first met in college, became friends, enjoyed brewing at home and later decided to do more than talk about starting...
Anchorage Brewing Co. Founder Gabe Fletcher (Photo Courtesy of Anchorage Brewing)
Our writer caught up with Gabe Fletcher, a longtime participant in the Alaskan brewing scene, shortly after the official opening of his beautiful new...
Founders Logo
In the second of two installments, the founders of Founders take on some more subjective topics. Was there a first beer you remember that made you...
New Glarus Brewery
There are two large cities on the western shore of Lake Michigan that formed my previous impression of Wisconsin. One has a famous NFL team whose...

My reviews

Affligem Blonde

Affligem Blonde Beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Deep gold with fairly good clarity and a modest white head, this beer exhibits Belgian aromatics with pear and apple the dominant fruit. Pepper and coriander are the prevailing spices over a bready malt backbone. Once it warms there is a little lemon zest that promises even more surprises. The... Read More

Risen

Risen Devils Backbone Surly Brewing Beer
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

After pouring, I'm greeted by a light brown beer that's clear around the edges but otherwise difficult to see through. The head is off-white and drops low, then sticks around, lacing the glass nicely. Roasty initially with an earthy coffee aroma being the most noticeable element in the nose. As... Read More

Maibock

Maibock
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This clear light amber beer sports a thick, cream-colored head. The aroma is clean with toasted malt and a touch of spicy hop character. I detect a hint of bready yeastiness and sulfur notes, which is consistent with a well lagered beer. The flavor is very homogenous from start to finish with... Read More

Seven Summits

Seven Summits Devils Backbone Wicked Weed Brewing Beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This beer pours the darkest brown imaginable (almost pitch black) and is opaque. A low, brown head is very thick and creamy with great retention. The bubbles don’t lace the glass, however there are legs that form from the liquid when you tilt the glass. A very complex and rich aroma assails my... Read More

Devil's Ale

SanTan Devil's Pale Ale Beer
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

An inviting citrus/grapefruit and resiny Pacific Northwest hop aroma draws you into this clear orange-amber brew and its low white head. There is an underlying light biscuit aroma with defi nite caramel once it warms. The flavor is also very clean with no discernable esters or fermentation... Read More

Cali-Belgique

Cali-Belgique

California
United States
Cali Belgique Stone Brewing Beer IPA
Description 

This beer is indeed a complex and surprising combination of flavors, but behind the fancy title is simply delicious Stone IPA dressed up in new Belgian duds. The addition of a carefully selected strain of Belgian yeast adds unexpected layers of flavors and aroma, providing a deliciously funky overtone to the hoppy brightness you already know and love as Stone IPA. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.9%
IBUs: 
77
Served at: 
45° F
Hops: 
Magnum, Chinook, Centennial

 

 


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Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

The interplay of the Belgian and American markers, where each element takes turns being more prominent in the drinking progression, is excellent in this golden beer. The aroma brings a wonderful blend of pine resin, earthiness, pepper, grapefruit and lemon zest. There are a lot of hop and yeast... Read More

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