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.
WE SPECIALIZE IN CRAFT BEVERAGE
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
Logo & Label for Otani Botanical Vodkas
portfolio
4-Pack Cases for Bold Move Beverage
design portfolio
Logo & Label Design for Front Porch Tea
design portfolio
Safi Vodka
photography portfolio
Outlandish
photography portfolio
Can Design for The Bitter Housewife
design portfolio
Bottle Design for Summit Distilling Co.
design portfolio
Batanga Tequila
photography portfolio
Label & Illustration for New Deal Distillery
design portfolio
Logo for Liba Spirits
design portfolio
Photography for Headwind Vodka
photography portfolio
Label Re-Design for Alpine Distilling
design portfolio
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
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 September 19, 2022
8 Craft Distillers Share Their Guilty Pleasure Cocktails
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
In order to distill the finest craft spirits, craft distillers source fresh-grown ingredients from around the world. They handpick botanicals, partner...
Read More
On September 7, 2022
6 Woman-Owned Gin Distilleries to Visit Before the ADI Craft Spirit Conference
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
This month, the American Distilling Institute kicks off its annual Craft Spirit Conference & Vendor Expo in St. Louis from September...
Read More
On August 17, 2022
Taking a Spirits Brand from Concept to Launch
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Based along Florida’s scenic route that hugs the Gulf Coast, 30A Distilling Co. crafts rum, vodka and bourbon. The brand aims...
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On August 15, 2022
We’re Hiring: Part-Time, Freelance Social Media Marketer
- Posted by Karen
We’re looking for our next social media marketer to join the High-Proof Creative team in Portland, Oregon. As our next freelance...
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On August 11, 2022
A Day in the Life of High-Proof Creative’s Designers
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Our graphic designers make us look good! Their days are jam-packed with designing liquor packaging, spirits label design, beverage brand logos,...
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On July 18, 2022
5 Places to Go & Vacation Like a Craft Distiller
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Summer arrived here in the PNW the same day that a solid three months of rain came to an end. Let’s...
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On July 4, 2022
How to: Use High-Quality Photography to Elevate Your Brand
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Consumers want to see what your distillery has to offer. Literally. Visuals and images catch an eye a lot more frequently...
Read More
On June 23, 2022
Ad Nostalgia: Campaigns That We Remember Fondly
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Creative and inspirational ad campaigns stand the test of time. Whether it’s a catchy tagline, memorable artwork or an inventive angle,...
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On June 6, 2022
How to Make the Most of Consumer-Facing Events
- Posted by Clare Goggin Sivits
Craft spirits brands benefit from consumer-facing events by introducing products to potential customers who attend the event.
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On May 23, 2022
Lost But Not Forgotten: Branding Trends from the Past We Love
- Posted by Ashley Jhaveri
We often look forward to discovering the latest design trends, but what happens when we choose to take a look back?...
Read MoreCLIENTS
U.S. and Worldwide
We’re a drink branding company and creative 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.