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.
Alcohol Marketing Agency
SERVICES WE PROVIDE
In addition to the services below we also offer consulting and training in marketing and TTB label approval.
Logo & Label Design
Branding Workshops
Website Development
Social Media Management
SEO/Content Creation
Photography
Google, Facebook, IG Ad Management
Founded by Karen Locke
WOMAN-FOUNDED & OWNED
OUR CLIENTS
AWARDS, PRESS & TESTIMONIALS
People's Choice - Voted BEST BRANDING/DESIGN EXPERT by readers of Spirited magazine. Summer 2019.
Spirited magazine
FIRST PLACE - Hermes Creative Awards, 2020 for Interactive Media | Social Media | 136. Instagram
Hermes Creative Award
Eater wrote about the software & movement we built in, ".. Database Helps People Find Women and Non-Binary Distillers Across the Country,"
Eater Portland
LOGOS & LABELS
Creative Packaging Solutions
We’re a creative agency specializing in branding and packaging for the craft beverage industry. Here’s what one of our clients has to say about working with us:
“Karen, Ashley and the entire team at High-Proof Creative are amazing to work with. They are not only creative and strategic, but very adaptable, easy to work with, they demonstrate market competency, and listen.
If you need to get things done, on budget, and on time, they are your go to agency. They’ve made our products and creative shine not only in competitions but more importantly with our customers.” – Yolanda, Next Century Spirits
RECENT BLOGS
Marketing, design, and creative tips for running your craft spirits business.
On March 18, 2023
Social Media for Alcohol Brands 101
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
When it comes to distilling fine spirits, you know how to capture the heart of your distillate. However, capturing the hearts...
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On March 8, 2023
Use These 5 Tips to Market Your Woman-Owned Distillery Right Now!
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Craft distilleries owned by women, BIPOC or members of the LGBTQ+ still make up a small subsection of the industry. However,...
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On February 16, 2023
Why Your Distillery’s Values Matter and How to Share Them
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Your target customer believes deeply in their values, whatever they may be. Even an average whiskey drinker has strong convictions about...
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On January 25, 2023
5 Alcohol Packaging Design Trends to Watch in 2023
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Every year, craft distilleries face new challenges when standing out on a crowded retailer shelf. Bottle, label and overall packaging design...
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On January 13, 2023
Craft Spirits Guide to Portland for the ACSA Convention
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
In February, the craft spirits community will descend on our home of Portland, Oregon. We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to our...
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On December 22, 2022
How Distilleries Measure ROI on Digital Marketing
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Craft distillery customers spend time online, just like every other customer. It’s just a matter of finding them where they are....
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On December 6, 2022
The 9 Best Drinking Cities Picked by Craft Distillers
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
What you drink matters without a doubt. But where you drink could matter more. Think about it: if you’re drinking bourbon,...
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On November 29, 2022
The 2022 Portland Craft Spirits Gift Guide for Distillers
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
The holiday season arrived and we’re making our list and checking it twice for all the craft distillers we know and...
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On November 9, 2022
Should Your Distillery TikTok?
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Even as the future of TikTok hangs in the balance, its status as a marketing tool continues to climb. Brands launch...
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On October 25, 2022
How to Enter a Spirits Competition and Win a Medal for Your Liquor Brand [UPDATED FOR 2022-2023]
- Posted by Amy Zimmerman
And the winner is … your distillery! Earning recognition from expert judges in the craft distilling industry is not just a...
Read MoreCLIENTS
U.S. and Worldwide
We’re an alcohol branding agency with clients all over the U.S., and worldwide. We work remotely or from our office in downtown Portland.
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Lets Talk
We’re a full-service craft spirits marketing, and branding agency. Let’s talk about your website, design, SEO, content, and social media needs.
Phone
Schedule a Call
karen@highproofcreative.com
Address
1017 SW Morrison Street #316
Portland, Oregon 97205
We might be based in Portland, Oregon, but we serve clients around the globe from Singapore to Dubai and California to Kentucky and everything in between.