Staff Q&A: Phil

Our longest-running employee, Phil, has been working for Hill Farmstead Brewery for thirteen and a half years. Today we spotlight his experience with a quick Q&A of life behind the scenes.

 

What do you hope guests feel or remember when they come here?

I hope people get a sense of the place—not just the brewery per se, but the whole area. I live here because I don’t really want to live anywhere else. I have lived in other places and thoroughly enjoyed them all, but ultimately, I chose to live here. Family was a big part of that, but so were the people, the changing seasons, the struggle….

 

What is your favorite machinery/vehicle in the brewery?

The tractor. I like being out in the elements, even if it’s raining, 20 below zero, whatever. It’s a challenge to see if I brought enough gear to withstand it that day. Or, if it’s 75 and sunny, being outside is great, too. There’s not a lot of opportunity to be outside here, but if I have to do tractor work, it’s inherently outside. 

 

If you could share a beer with anyone—living or not—who would it be, and what would you serve?

I’d love to have a beer with my Mom’s dad. (Maternal grandfather). We’d likely drink an Old Milwaukee or Milwaukee’s Best. Those were his preferred, if I remember correctly. He died when I was 12 or 13; being able to talk to him as an adult would’ve been amazing, I think. He was funny, silly, and serious, all at the same time.