2010 Philly Beer Geek Finals Competition
Our Illustrious Panel of Celebrity Judges

Six Semi-Finalists representing Sponsors from the Philadelphia Metro and Suburban areas competed for a Grand Prize of more than $1,000 in beer-centric prizes at the 2010 Philly Beer Geek Finals Competition.

A panel of celebrity judges - Philly Beer Media, Brewmasters, and Beer Personalities - selected the Philly Beer Geek 2010 Champion based on knowledge, creativity, believability, and a demonstration of enthusiasm for Philly Beer.

Our Judges Panel:

Don Russell – aka Joe Sixpack – Award-winning Philly Beer Journalist, Author & Co Founder of Philly Beer Week

Joe Sixpack is Don Russell, winner of the 2006 Brewers Association Beer Journalism Award in Consumer Print, and roving brewsman for over ten years at the Philadelphia Daily News. He is the author of "Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter's Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America", where his caricature stands, inked throughout the book in a dozen humorous settings by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Signe Wilkinson. His newest book, "Christmas Beer: The Cheeriest, Tastiest, and Most Unusual Holiday Brews," is a must for those who seek out the best in Seasonal Beers. As co-founder of Philly Beer Week, Don proves his status as a major-league player in the Philly beer scene.

Lew Bryson As Seen Through a Glass, Drinks Writer

Lew Bryson comes to us as the award-winning, beer-drinking, whiskey-sipping, brewery-visiting, cask-tapping, thirst-creating drinks writer. With his sassy wit and infectious laugh, Lew seizes the stage with readers and audiences alike. His books include a series of brewery guidebooks: New Jersey Breweries; Pennsylvania Breweries; Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Breweries; and New York Breweries. Lew rambles on at As Seen through a Glass, where he presents his audacious perspective on whiskey, beer tasting, bar openings and the laws that govern drink. Abolish the PLCB? Ask Lew!

Jack Curtin, Philly Beer Journalist

Seasoned Philadelphia beer journalist Jack Curtin, contends that Philadelphia has earned its reputation as the best beer drinking city in the country, and perhaps the world. Legend has it that Jack helped Ben Franklin establish Philly's first newspaper (It was really Jack's idea, and don't let Ben tell you anything different). Since those early years, Jack has proven himself in the business of journalistic excellence. He promotes breaking news at The Beeryard website, Wayne, PA, serves as the "Atlantic Ale Trail" columnist for Celebrator Beer News of California, and served as the "Eastern Pennsylvania" columnist for Mid-Atlantic Brewing News. In addition to keeping his blog current, daily, at Liquid Diet - The Blog, he contributes regularly to American Brewer.

Bryan Kolesar, The Brew Lounge, Philadelphia, PA

Bryan Kolesar has been blogging about Philadelphia Beer and its magic since 2005. As an occasional homebrewer, he is involved with the earthy parts that include pairing beer with food and, more recently, growing his own hops. "It's pretty natural for a homebrewer to want to grow his own ingredients. You're not going to grow your own barley or wheat in the backyard, but you can definitely grow your own hops."