The beer’s always cold and waiting on the counter when Skin’s regulars arrive at the Forest Hill pub

Readers have voted and the result for the best bartender has been revealed. This barman was humbly shocked when he found out why you think he’s the best around.

Forest Hill pub barman Skin, (aka John Whitney) was named the best bar tender in the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Region. He is pictured with some of his locals Ash Olm and Peter Schmidt. PHOTO: Ali Kuchel

At the bar at the Forest Hill pub, you’re guaranteed a laugh, friendly banter, and a cold beer.

John Whitney is the man behind the bar, but no one calls him that.

His name is Skin and he says it has something to do with his lanky frame.

Skin has lived above the bar and manned the beer taps at the Forest Hill pub for 10 years and never thought he would be voted best bartender in the Lockyer or Somerset by Gatton Star readers.

“I’ve just been doing it for a hell of a long time and I just love it. It’s in my blood,” Skin said.

Starting in the meatworks after finishing school, Skin moved into hospitality when it closed and has remained in the industry since.

He has worked with Don and Kylie Shepherd, owners of the Forest Hill Hotel for 20 years, also working as their barman when they owned the Federal Hotel in Gatton.

Forest Hill pub barman Skin, (aka John Whitney) was named the best bartender in the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Region. PHOTO: Ali Kuchel

And not a day goes by that he isn’t at work, after all, his home is above the pub.

Skin says the Shepherds are his family, plus his regulars, which include local farmers, business owners and Gatton uni students.

“I love having a crowd here, I can handle them, and it keeps me on the go,” Skin said.

“You get to meet different people and I just love the game and making a lot of friends and mates.”

He said the secret to being a good bartender was ensuring the beer was cold, providing friendly service and knowing what your regulars drank.

Lockyer Valley local and Peter Schmidt was at the pub when Skin heard of his accolade and said, “You’d have to cross a lot of rivers to find a good publican like Skin”.

Forest Hill pub barman Skin, (aka John Whitney) was named the best bartender in the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Region. PHOTO: Ali Kuchel

“You only have to walk in here and the beer is sitting on the counter. He knows exactly what you drink and he’s always friendly. He’s a good bloke,” Peter said.

Echoing his words was Ash Olm, a Forest Hill pub regular who said if Skin saw you pull up in the car, the beer was waiting on the counter.

“You can get a beer in a pub, but then you can get a beer in a pub and this is the place,” Ash said.

Hotel owner Kylie Shepherd said Skin’s accolade was well deserved.

“He’s part of our family, Skin has worked with us for 20 years,” she said.

“The regulars would be disappointed if he wasn’t there – they come to have a drink with him. He’s very obliging, friendly and he’s just one of the blokes.”

Originally published as The beer’s always cold and waiting on the counter when Skin’s regulars arrive at the Forest Hill pub