Duck, Duck, Venice Duck! - The Story Of Venice Duck Beer

Most people who have lived in Venice for a certain amount of time have been served an adult beverage by John Henry Binder and/or Christian Warren, bartenders extraordinaire. Binder was voted Best Bartender in the L.A. Weekly in 2017 for his many years of service at James Beach, and Warren has gone on to have his own bar,  the very popular Melody Bar on Sepulveda near LAX. Being so good at their jobs, these good fellows thought they should also have their own spirits brand ... and thought, "Venice has got to have its own beer", and thus, Venice Duck Beer was born.

Let's go back in time a little ... I sat down with these gents one recent happy hour and heard the story of Venice Duck where it all began, there at the bar in James Beach. Binder was born in New York, and came out to L.A. when he was 12 to live with his Dad, a documentary filmmaker (he shot Woodstock!). He got into acting (playing a kid in Popeye when he was 10!), and attended UC Santa Barbara. Digging the beach, Binder made his way down the coast to Venice in 1993, and began his illustrious career as one of our most beloved barkeeps. A stint at Typhoon in Santa Monica taught him all the mixology ropes, and led him to the then new James Beach in 1996, where he has been ever since.

One drinking night at Hal's, Binder was introduced to Warren by the Hal's bartender, Happy, and they became fast friends. Warren was born in San Francisco, and also made his way to L.A. to be an actor like so many before him. He got a gig working at the then super hot Whiskey Bar in Hollywood, where he learned the bartending trade (after paying bar backing and valet dues). He wasn't feeling Hollywood, and says, "There was something familiar about Venice that made you feel at home ... and everyone was cool" (those were the days, right?!). He soon got a gig at Baja Cantina (when that place was super happening), where he worked for six years, and earned the nickname "Elvis" from a fellow bartender who observed him making out with all the customers and said it was "like working with Elvis". Ah, the good old days!

Warren then came to work at James Beach (for a mere six months), and that is where the idea for Venice Duck Beer came up one late night after a shift. Binder and Warren were in back sipping on their Sierra Nevadas in 2002, and the "Wouldn't it be cool if there was a Venice beer?" talk started. Something like the Sierra Nevada they were drinking, but VENICE. Their friend, Happy, had told them about a drunken night when he passed out in the Canals on the way home, and woke up to find a flock of Venice ducks had covered his body with theirs, to keep him or themselves warm. It was a funny story, but Binder thought, "Venice ducks will always be here ... that's the name."

Time passed, both guys had kids and a lot of other things going on, and nothing happened with their beer idea. Warren bought and sold the Makai bar in Santa Monica in two years, and then opened the Melody Bar, which kept him real busy, remodeling and refining it. Binder was tending bar at James, and raising his family, when Warren came back and told Binder the time for Venice Duck was now, with the craft beer industry exploding. They had meetings with investors (friends) and did fundraising, and went about finding the right brewmaster. They wanted to brew their beer in Venice, but you need an industrial area and there wasn't one. They found their guy in San Jose, and soon (after much trial and error) they had their Venice Dogtown Duck IPA.

Lucky Duck (an agave nectar blonde ale) and Stoner Duck (hemp seed nut brown ale) soon followed, and all have their own Venice story. Dogtown and Stoner are obvious, but the Lucky Duck is inspired by the flapper-era ladies who one would meet in prohibition booze smuggling tunnels legendary in Venice. And coming soon - NALU, a hard seltzer from the Venice Duck guys (like Truly or White Claw) with yum organic flavors like yuzu and ginger. Awesome.

After starting out by self-distributing their wares around town, Venice Duck was taken on by Southern Wine and Spirits, the largest alcohol distributor in the United States. It can be found, of course, at the Melody Bar and James Beach on tap, but also Mercedes Grille, Cheesecake Factory, Umami Burgers, LAX, various liquor stores, and they're only growing larger every day. "The dream is to keep growing and have people drink it internationally, but come to Venice one day to drink it in its home," says Warren. And they envision that Venice home to be their own tasting room in Venice proper. Stay tuned for that excellence.

Binder takes his role as a Venice bartender very seriously, and isn't interested in being a flashy, trendy mixologist. He's more about making everyone feel special and important as they sit with him and drink their beverage of choice. That care for his customers is obvious as a nonstop stream of friends and well-wishers forced this interview to happen in two parts, so busy was he mixing cocktails and shooting the breeze, giving high fives and hugs left and right. That speaks to what Warren said as we sat there at Binder's bar ... "Venice always feels like home, it has changed, but there's always something magical about it. Everyone embraces everyone, and there are so many cool, eclectic, interesting people ... People still come and fall in love with Venice."

We wrapped up our chat and our drinks (spicy prickly pear margarita for me, thanks John Henry!) with Warren saying the following truth: "Once Venice touches your heart, it's in you, and you will always have it with you." That's right, and that's why we'll always love it.

I grew up in Minnesota where the kid game was "Duck, Duck, Grey Duck!" (Never "Goose"). In Venice, it's Duck, Duck, Venice Duck - every time.

Venice Duck is available on tap, in the can, or in the bottle at fine restaurants and liquor stores all over Venice and beyond - or will be. Check the website below for the latest vendors.

VeniceDuckBrewery.com
Facebook: /veniceduckbrewery
Instagram: /veniceduck
Twitter: /veniceduck

Jack Prichett Photo Exhibit Opens At Hal's - Night Vision: The City After Dark

Hal's Venice was jam packed last night for the opening of an exhibit of photography by Jack Prichett. A longtime capturer of Venice images, Prichett was showing work from his series called Night Vision: The City After Dark, which were all metal plate images of Venice and L.A. proper.

Guests mingled and schmoozed in the main room at Hal's on Abbot Kinney, as our favorite waiters walked around with trays of nibbles, like sliders and little shots of tomato soup. Yum.

Other Venice artists were on hand, like the wonderful Amy Kaps (fresh from her performance at Red Cat!), who introduced me to Mr. Prichett, who amazingly I'd never met before.

That's a cool thing about living in Venice ... you think you know just about everyone, and then you go to something, and you meet a whole new crew of wonderfully talented folks whose paths you just haven't crossed yet. A new friendship around every corner.

It was a BIG weekend, so my Hal's visit was brief, but I left having seen more cool art in Venice (on display at Hal's Abbot Kinney for the next month), and with new friends to boot.

Thanks again, Venice. XO

Venice Loses Ed Moses

Two days after an opening of new works at the Runway Gallery next to Hal's in Playa Vista, Venice is mourning the loss of legendary artist, Ed Moses. I regret that I missed that opening, and the chance to celebrate this founding member of the "Cool School" of art one more time.

                                                                                                                 Portrait: Kwaku Alston

There was a massive Moses At 90 retrospective featuring decades of Moses' art a couple of years ago at Bergamot Station that was packed to the rafters, as everyone marveled at how very prolific Moses was, even at 91 years old.

The L.A. Times ran a comprehensive article on the life and career of Moses yesterday that will tell you everything you need to know about his history, but all of Venice will miss just seeing him around with that ever-present twinkle in his eye. A notorious flirt, one could always count on Moses for a good bon mot or story. The old Hal's was always good for a Moses sighting, as he held court there often - usually under one of his massive pieces that the main wall was always reserved for. I remember him saying at an anniversary celebration for Hal's at Electric Lodge that "Hal's has B+ food, which I like, because I can always get a table." Everyone cracked up, mainly because Moses would never have a problem getting a table at Hal's - or anywhere.

His loss has left a gaping hole in the art world, and in Venice, but the beautiful thing is that his wonderful work will live on forever.

Deepest sympathy and love to all who loved Mr. Ed Moses. He was one of a kind.

Music Connects Us: The Venice Art Crawl Fundraiser At The New Hal's- Playa Vista

Last night was a wonderful celebration of Art and Venice, when the Venice Art Crawl had its big art show fundraiser, held at the brand new Hal's in Playa Vista.

The show was titled "Music Connects Us", and featured works of art all based on music and the people that make it. Hal's Playa Vista is now not only a restaurant, but they have a huge event space next door, where this massive (75 Artists!) art show was held.

The place was already packed when I arrived, and musicians played outside on the sidewalk while people got checked in. It was very festive, and not just because it was 4/20. People were ready to party. The art show part was a sober party, however, as the big space is not zoned for alcohol use, I guess, so the bar in the space was only serving kombucha drinks. Some Venice folks had flasks for this rock and roll show. Bless.

VAC organizer Sunny Bak was there, and so were her excellent Beastie Boy photos ...

Co-organizer Neely Shearer from the wonderful Venice shop, In Heroes We Trust was there, looking great and making the rounds among all the artists she had helped compile for this extra-impressive show (here in front of Jules Muck works). John Hartman, pictured here with Neely, was responsible for the design of the space, which was great.

Today is the first anniversary of our beloved Prince's death, which I'm really still not ready to face, if I'm honest. The show last night seemed to agree with me, as several of the artists had pieces featuring our Minneapolis legend. I wish I could have bought them all. Like "Prince of Rock" by Todd Goodman ...

Or "Prince The Vegan Rebel" by Le Fou/Vegan Club (my favorite, I think) ...

 
Or this angelic Prince by Made Of Hagop ... I'd take any of them, for sure.

I also loved the rare, casual photo of another life-love of mine, Mr. Leonard Cohen, by Ivy Ney.

I loved the colorful music posters by another Minneapolis fellow, Kii Arens, who also did the poster for this show.

Fantastic, bright paintings by Oliana Afano lit the place up ...

Rock photographer Guy Webster's work was well represented ...

 Nat Fino had some great Bowie and Stones work on display, adding to the rock flavro ...

There were art installations set up around, like a big yurt with balloons and neon jellyfish by Shana Koenig inside and around it ...

There was a Plastic Jesus installation of a smashed piano that had a sign stating "Trump's Endowment for the Arts". Sad commentary on now ... but we were all there to fight exactly against that. Art is so important, and nights that brings everyone together to honor and celebrate it is what has to keep happening. Art is worth fighting for.

And so was a place at the bar at the new Hal's next door. There was a fancy VIP dinner for the event that I skipped, but the menu appeared to be the same good old Hal's fare. The Turkey burger is there, the Caesar is there ... the ART is there! Yes, the old familiar art from the original Abbot Kinney location is all there, the same staff is there, the jazz is there (last night played by Antonia Bennet - daughter of Tony) ... the only thing that isn't there is Venice. It's a little surreal to be honest, to have so much of the same feelings, but then look outside at a place that's kind of like The Grove. There's no chance of looking out the window and seeing a naked bike ride go by here, but then that's been happening less and less on Abbot Kinney too. This new Hal's is verrrry slick, with an open front with window tables, a big circular center bar, and even a state of the art screening room with the same fiber optics that the International Space Station has. Top shelf stuff.

It was fun to see so much of Venice together again inside a Hal's, and Hal himself was holding court all evening. The only thing weird was calling a car to go home, versus walking across the street. I'm not sure how often we'll make the trek to Playa Vista (Pleasantville), but it's nice to know that it's there. Congratulations to Don, Linda, Hal, and all the staff on a beautiful new venue that takes a little bit of Venice to the folks on Jefferson.

After all the art was seen, and the scene was made, it was time to head back to Venice for an after-party/420 jamboree at the Josa Tulum shop on the corner of Abbot Kinney an Venice Boulevard. There was more art, and more live music, and much more Venice. Lacey Kay Cowden had both her art and her music on display, as she played a live set there in the yard for the partiers.

Death By Politics were both our hosts and our headliners, as they played a spirited set for the crowd gathering. You could hear the music from blocks away, and it felt exactly how a Venice 4/20 should feel. Awesome.

Local legends Paul Chesne and Tom Freund tore it up together toward the end of the night, and all was well. Real well.

I walked the block home later, and could still hear the music from my bed for a while. That's a perfect way to fall asleep in Venice, California on April 20th ... on a night that was only about art, music, friends, and the Venice we all know and simply love.

Kudos to all involved on a completely wonderful event that will guarantee more nights dedicated to art for us all. The show was so dense it's nearly impossible to mention everyone, but everyone was more than worth mentioning and I loved it all. Everyone mark your calendars for the May 18th Venice Art Crawl! It's THE Venice jam.

Sorry, Adidas. You Do NOT Define Venice.

It's true. The old Hal's space is going to be an Adidas store. ADIDAS! In a town where we never had chain stores, they now think they are going to DEFINE Venice. Oh, really? How completely offensive to everyone who ever made Venice what is is. The REAL definers of this Community. I'm livid.

Adidas, I have a suggestion for you. The first thing you should do is fire whatever marketing exec came up with this campaign, along with everyone who agreed to it. They clearly did no homework on the Community they're about to enter, or they'd know we would not take kindly to some chain claiming they define the legend that is Venice. A massive Germany-based global corporation is going to move on to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and think that they are suddenly going to be "Defining Venice"?! Yeah. Right. This is as bad as the Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad.

Venice has never been defined by any one thing, but it certainly wouldn't ever be a chain shoe store. It is defined by the artists, the skaters, the surfers, the gangsters, the beach bums, the regular bums, the free spirits, the hippies, the innovators, the edgy ones, the bikers, the teachers, the mom and pop stores, the laid back attitude ... the FREEDOM. How DARE some international conglomerate have the audacity to think they're going to come into a storied, historic place like Venice and DEFINE it. I could puke right on their doorstep. And probably will. That's as close as I'll ever get to stepping inside, unless I see someone I know in there and have to go drag them out by their ear in a big scene. *You've been warned.

I was ranting about it at the French Market after seeing this outrage of a window sign, and some affected girl behind me in line said, "Venice is all just Snapchat now anyway." No, it goddamn isn't, young lady. Go to an art opening. Go to a house party. Go to a non-chain store. Go to a town council meeting. Go to a school event. Go to the dog park. Go to the actual sand on the beach. Go to Hinano's. There you will find people that not only aren't Snapchat, but LOATHE Snapchat, and their ilk. I suggest you branch out. Learn your history. Have some respect.

I was walking home from a friend's last night and heard a group of Millenials sitting in the street talking about their NDA's (Non-Disclosure Agreements), and how they were so important they couldn't even talk to each other about their lame stuff. I have a feeling it was Tech stuff. Blech stuff. (I'm a known Luddite). I was so disgusted to think that this gentrification cancer has spread so much that youngsters think that his garbage IS Venice. It simply isn't, and those lame asses won't last here. Watch.

And I suspect neither will Adidas. No one comes to Venice, California to go to chain stores they have at their own mall in every city. They come for the unexpected. The weird. The "Freaks". The Art. The beach. The Boardwalk. The Skatepark. The Surf. The bike path. The beach. Not some store that the only thought I've ever had about them is that we used to think it stood for "All Day I Dream About Sex" as kids, and think that was racy. I certainly never thought they'd be so dumb as to come into Venice and have the utter nerve to think they can in any way "Define" this classic beach town. They're practically begging for vandalism (which I don't condone, of course, but would surely understand). The fact that all the good times we had inside that building when it was Hal's will now be taken over by corporate drones fitting people into overpriced sneakers makes me physically ill. WHO thought this could ever be a good idea? They were seriously misguided.

Just past the self-important Millenial jokers in the street, I saw this sidewalk chalk missive on Hampton Drive. "Try to not be a dick for once". I have a feeling it was meant for a specific someone, but it can sure apply to everyone doing their best to bury the Venice we know and love. Knock it off. Stop being dicks. For ONCE.

Please.

The Adidas boycott starts now. Not that we ever wore them anyway. This is a Vans town.

Ed Moses At 90 - A Celebration At William Turner Gallery

If you're from Venice and you care at all about art, most likely you were at the opening of Moses@90, the survey exhibition at Bergamot's William Turner Gallery of the entire career of Ed Moses. Everyone was there. There were so many old school Venice folks that it almost felt like the last night of the old Hal's again (where Moses always had the big wall reserved for his work), just with lesser wine.

The parking lot was packed with overflow guests, and it took a while of chatting before we could even make it inside the first building.

It was extra festive, with everyone seemingly thrilled both to be there to honor such an impressive body of work, but also to see each other. Stories were swapped about openings past, and just about everyone had at least a few Moses anecdotes or quotes to share.

The sad part was that Moses himself was not in attendance to see this whole thing ... the massive turnout of old friends and fans that adore him ... the work being oohed, aahed, and photographed over ... the pretty ladies done up for a night out, all primed to flirt with ... but I was told he was not feeling well enough to be there. That's a shame, because the evening was truly all about Moses, from the art to the conversation.

His presence loomed large, however, with each significant phase of Moses' five decades of painting on display. It's rare to see so many different periods in an artist's career all shown at once, yet this show has it all.

There is so much work to see that the event occupies two separate venues on the Bergamot campus, both the William Turner Gallery and the former Santa Monica Museum of Art building, which is even bigger.

There were the big stark primary color paintings taking up one entire wall ...

There was a plaid looking period ...

There was a series of work that even left the brushes used by Moses still attached. Next to spiders.

This was a show that I'll probably want to revisit while it's on, as there were so many friends to catch up with that the work didn't really get its proper attention from me. Not that I really could have given it, so densely packed in was the crowd that it was seldom easy to get right up there and absorb it, even if I had been able to stop talking.

One thing I always notice at events like this is how art truly does bring people together. Yes, to come out and look at a local legend's vast array of important work and have fun together, but you also see and hear people making plans, making friendships, and forging relationships with others that just found out they had something in common in other areas of life because they were looking at the same art. You know what I mean? I saw business cards and numbers being exchanged all evening long, and it encouraged me. That the people and the scene still matter, to the world and to each other. Art unites.

Thus, Moses is a uniter, which goes along with his status as a Shaman in the art world. It is a guise that fits him well, as he self-describes there on the wall.

The colors are something I've always loved about Moses' work, never afraid to be bold, or to sparkle, to provoke or to force self-examination, as some of his warped mirrored pieces insist.

I miss seeing the work of Ed Moses on the regular at Hal's as much as I missed the turkey burger, I realized while walking the halls of this show. It was a comfort to see one of his giant wall pieces there as we sat together and enjoyed our Venice. Moses is another one of ours ... he lives and works here in Venice, and was one of the original pioneers of making it a haven for artists and just making it straight up cool. I felt this cool as I soaked it all in, and knew that those around me felt it and knew it too.

That is a life real well lived, when you're still creating your work at 90, everyone is still awaiting it, and you get to revel in the celebration of it all in your lifetime. I hope Moses well knows how great of a time was had by all in his name. Cheers to you, Sir, and Happy 90!

Moses@90 is on through June 25, 2016
William Turner Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue E-1
Santa Monica, 90404