Karen founded High-Proof Creative, an award-winning branding and marketing agency for the craft beverage industry in 2018. She is author of “High-Proof PDX: A Spirited Guide to Portland’s Craft Distilling Scene” and has been a food and drink writer, and worked at marketing agencies for nearly 10 years prior to launching High-Proof Creative. Karen has been published by GQ magazine, Bon Appétit, Sip Northwest, and more. Karen joined the Women’s Distillery Guild as a board member in 2018, and currently serves on the board of the Portland Culinary Alliance. She is also member of the Women of the Vine & Spirits, American Distilling Institute, and American Craft Spirits Association.
Industry Solutions
AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE AGENCY FOR THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY
Our goal is to provide more than marketing — we aim to create digital solutions to help the craft beverage industry grow to its full potential.
-Best Branding/Design Expert 2019 by readers of Spirited magazine
-Gold for Best Website, John Barleycorn awards
-Platinum (1st) for Social Media Photography, Hermes Creative Awards
-Gold for Label Design, Hermes Creative Awards
-Canopus Winner (1st) Photography – Vega Awards
Website for Still Talking Podcast
wordpress
Photography for Headwind Vodka
photography
Founded by Karen Locke
Woman Founded & Owned
Our Clients
Testimonials
Here are a few testimonials from recent clients.
High-Proof was just what we needed when we launched our Hazelnut Bourbon Whiskey in Oregon. Karen was instrumental in setting up events, arranging social media influences and introducing us to potential clients. A bonus was that we found her creative writing skills exceptional and ended up hiring her to write our back labels for our Pecan infused and Pecan Barrel Strength bourbon whiskey which just hit shelves last month. I highly recommend Karen, the staff and services of High Proof Creative!
Gloria Z., Wicked Harvest
We recently hired Karen to build a new web site for us. Karen started with a lot of thoughtful questions that helped her get a strong understanding of what we were looking for and what our aesthetic is. Karen offered wonderful suggestions and was open to our ideas throughout the process. Karen was very patient with us and our crazy schedules. We own two businesses and this is our busiest time of year but Karen kept us on track and completed the project on time and on-budget!
Amy Bohner, Alchemy Distillery
Your Online Storefront
Showcase Your Brand
Reach potential customers with a strong online presence.
We’re a tech-driven creative agency specializing in website, branding, marketing, and content for the craft beverage industry with a focus on craft distilleries. It’s never too late to start growing your online presence.
MARKETING TIPS FOR DISTILLERIES
Recent Blogs
Digital marketing tips for the distilling industry.
On January 22, 2021
How to Incorporate E-commerce into your Distillery’s Marketing Plan
- Posted by Lauren Reece
In 2020, we learned that consumers are open to buying nearly anything online — including liquor. For so long, distilleries and...
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On January 18, 2021
Womxn in Distilling: Lee Hedgmon
- Posted by High-Proof Creative
Lee Hedgmon, a distiller at Freeland Spirits, greets me warmly. She’s wearing a mask but I can tell from her eyes...
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On October 27, 2020
HIRING: Social Media Marketer (Freelance – Portland, Oregon)
- Posted by Karen
We’re hiring a social media manager at High-Proof Creative. Collaborate with a fun group of designers, developers, and marketing folks on...
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On October 8, 2020
3 Printed Marketing Materials Your Distillery Needs To Get on The Shelves (and Stay on Them)
- Posted by Lauren Reece
In the spirits industry, a distillery has two people it immediately needs to impress: the potential liquor buyer and the potential...
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On October 1, 2020
Pomp & Whimsy: Celebrating the Role of Women in the Spirits Industry
- Posted by High-Proof Creative
“Women were drinking gin, they were making it, they were selling it, and they were consuming it, not in saloon bars...
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On September 21, 2020
Womxn in Distilling: Chaunci King of Royalty Spirits
- Posted by High-Proof Creative
Chaunci King, founder of the first Black female-owned liquor company in the Northwest, Royalty Spirits, was in Mexico when she met...
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On September 20, 2020
From KPU University to YouTube, Miss Brewbird, Documents Life at the Distillery
- Posted by High-Proof Creative
We first found Canadian distiller, Miss Brewbird, documenting production and daily life as a distiller on YouTube. Currently in a new...
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On August 3, 2020
Understanding Influencer Marketing
- Posted by Rachel Morrison
Influencer marketing campaigns are an integral part of any marketing strategy–they basically function as word-of-mouth, but faster. You can get better...
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On July 29, 2020
Liquor Advertising & Social Media Laws in California
- Posted by Claire Petras
Please note: We are not law experts. This is our interpretation of liquor advertising laws, which we follow for our clients based...
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On June 17, 2020
Using ‘Google My Business’ to Drive Customers to Your Tasting Room and Website
- Posted by High-Proof Creative
With the economic reopening underway and new restrictions on businesses, it’s more important than ever to communicate with your customers. Google...
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Free Marketing Quote
Drop us a line and we'll give you free marketing recommendations!
Phone
503-957-4473
highproofcreative at gmail dot com
Address
1017 S.W. Morrison Street #510
Portland, Oregon 97205
Contact Us
We’re a full-service craft spirits marketing, and branding agency. Let’s talk about your website, design, SEO, content, and social media needs.