PROOF — The Washington Distillers Festival, the first-of-its-kind official tasting event showcasing Washington’s finest distilleries, returns for a second year on July 12, 2014, at Seattle’s Fremont Studios. Tickets, a full list of participating distilleries and restaurants, plus complete event info, are available online at PROOFwashington.org.
Attendees will enjoy tastings of locally made whiskey, gin, bourbon, vodka and other craft spirits, attendees will have the chance to discover a new favorite cocktail made by local restaurants, and meet the craftsmen and women of the Washington Distillers Guild — the largest of its kind in the U.S. Bottles will also be on sale throughout the event, while local bartenders will provide tips on mixing drinks and upgrading your home bar, and DJ Riz of KEXP will lay down a mood-setting soundtrack.
Since its initial announcement last year, PROOF has generated considerable buzz in the Seattle food-and-beverage industry, where craft spirits represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the market. Owned by the Guild and produced by local event team Varsity Communications, who also co-produce the long-running and successful Taste Washington and 20something wine-tasting events — PROOF was the first event of its kind to bring together so many Washington distillers under one roof.
“The state of Washington is home to some of the fastest-growing craft distilleries in the nation, and we’re excited to have the chance to partner with the Washington Distillers Guild to showcase these incredible craft spirits,” says Dick Stephens, president/CEO of Varsity Communications. “This is a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of locally made spirits, and celebrate this fast-growing industry in our state.”