1. LitmusTest: Phenol being acidic turns blue litmus red while methanol being neutral has no effect on blue litmus.
2. FeCl3 Test: Phenol gives a violet colouration with FeCl3 solution while methanol does not.
$$3C_{6} H_{5} OH\ +\ FeCl_{3} \ \longrightarrow \ ( C_{6} H_{5} O)_{3} Fe\ +\ 3HCl$$
3. Bromine water Test: Phenol readily decolourises bromine water giving a white ppt. of 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol but methanol does not.
$$C_{6}H_{5}OH\ + \ 3Br_{2}\ \longrightarrow \ C_{6}H_{2}Br_{3}OH \ +\ 3HBr$$