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

Website for Still Talking Podcast

wordpress

Photography for Headwind Vodka

photography

Label & Logo Refresh for The Bitter Housewife

branding

Label Re-Design for Apline Distilling

labels

Creative Direction & Photography for Outlandish

Recipe Development & Photography with Polara Studio

Creative Direction & Photography for Iggy’s Alive & Cultured

Website for Alchemy Distillery

Packaging Design for The Bitter Housewife

labels

All Recent Work

Founded by Karen Locke

Woman Founded & Owned

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.

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 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...

On June 12, 2020

The Future of Sustainable Liquor Packaging

Posted by Allie

It’s clear that there will be many long-lasting impacts and changes to the way we live our everyday lives, especially post-COVID-19...

On April 30, 2020

High-Proof Creative Wins Platinum & Gold at 2020 Hermes Creative Awards

Posted by Karen

Portland, Ore. (April 30, 2020) —High-Proof Creative, a woman-owned marketing and branding agency for the craft beverage industry was awarded Platinum...

On April 28, 2020

5 Easy Low-Proof Cocktails to Share with Your Followers

Posted by Allie

Due to COVID-19 and the #stayhome #stayinside guidance, alcohol sales have increased significantly as consumers are generally drinking at home more...