New festival focuses on Cincinnati's craft spirits scene

Overall, the United States beverage market is a $354.2 billion industry, with distilled spirits making up about 37 percent of the overall alcoholic beverage sales in the country. That doesn't even include bottled spirits that are purchased at the liquor store and taken home for consumption.

Before Cincinnati was a beer lovers paradise, it was home to a number of distilleries. But Prohibition ended much of the distilling (and brewing) that consumers had come to know and love. Local enthusiasts are just now taking their at-home cocktail concoctions to the next level by opening distilleries and bars — New Riff, Northside Distilling Co., Second Sight Spirits and Molly Wellmann's bars, just to name a few.

Cincinnati is taking that to the next level, and will be celebrating its spirits history on Oct. 22 at Proof Cocktail & Spirits. The first ever event will take place at Duke Energy Convention Center from 7-10:30 p.m.
 
Proof will include spirit sampling and small cocktails from 100 local, regional and national spirit makers and bartenders. There will be a number of different popup bars within the festival for ticketholders (except for the Speakeasy, which is for VIP ticket holders only).
 

• The Tiki Bar will feature 8-foot flamingos and drinks from Wellmann’s Brands, as well as catering from Bottle and Basket.

• The '80s Bar will have neon lights, day-glow and fun cocktails like cosmos, plus a DJ playing throwback favorites.

• Bartenders from Scene Ultra Lounge will be serving up drinks at the Night Club, and a Silent Disco where you put on headphones and dance to music only you can hear.

• Northside Yacht Club is bringing its nautical and rock ‘n’ roll vibe to the Yacht Club bar.

• 4EG and The Lackman are pairing up for the Log Cabin Bar which will feature snow-covered pine trees and mixologists from The Lackman, who will create cocktails with Absolut Vodka and Jameson Whiskey. Food will be available from Keystone Bar & Grill.

Proof is the largest cocktail and spirits event in the history of Cincinnati, and will have hundreds of spirits on-hand for guests to try. Hosted by Festivals Unlimited (the same company that’s behind Cincy Winter Beerfest), they will showcase the talent of the city's bartenders. 

Guests can sip and sample spirits and learn about the nuances of different spirits from the various brands.

Tickets are still available for Proof, but there are a limited number of VIP Speakeasy tickets, which are $95. Regular admission tickets are $65, and designated driver tickets are $35.

Stay tuned to Proof's Facebook page for more information as the festival gets closer.