It was an spectacular evening of revelry at James’ Beach.  The locals came out en masse to toast one of their own, as John Henry Binder was crowned The Best Bartender in Los Angeles.   Folks took turns on the mic sharing warm memories of John,  Daniel Samakow  presented John with the coveted L.A. Weekly hardware, Venice Paparazzi set up a fun photo party, and people ate, drank, laughed, and cheered their way through the night in what was one of the best events ever.

Cheers to you, John Binder, the King of The Pour!

If you have not had the good fortune of chilling at James Beach and getting to know John, here is a bit of John’s story.

A 20 year veteran bartender at James’ Beach, Binder says his love for good beer started with drinking Sierra Nevada while getting a history degree at UCSB.

The actual plan to launch a beer making operation hatched in 2003 at Hal’s bar where John met his business partner Christian Warren. Ten years later Venice Duck Brewery  kicked out its first batches in 2013.   Starting with a modest 20 bar account, Venice Duck Brewery was quickly picked up by So. Cal liquor distribution giant Southern Spirits.

Now widely recognized as one of the areas best microbreweries, Venice Duck rewery offers three brews:   Dog Town Duck is their IPA, Stoner Duck is their brown ale, and Lucky Duck is their wheat beer.

When John is not slanging drinks in one fashion or another, he likes snowboarding, listening to Pearl Jam, hanging with his daughters ( Sophia, 13 and Gioanna, 9) and taking tandem bike rides through Venice.

.If you have not tried any of VDB offerings, you should.  Roll by James Beach and have the man himself pour you a cold draft of Dog Town Duck!  60 N Venice Blvd.  Venice, California 90291.  www.JamesBeach.com

Top photo:  John Henry Binder and Sasha Alicia Gary

Support John Binder,  and drink the duck!   You can find the duck at James’ Beach, Canal Club, Barlo Kitchen and Cocktails, High Rooftop Lounge,  and Tony P’s Dockside Grill!    Click here to find additional duck locations!  Check out John’s trailer!