Photos from Proof Bourbon Dinner

To celebrate North Dakota’s first bourbon whiskey, we hosted a bourbon dinner on Thursday, May 18th.

Proof Artisan Distillers opened in downtown Fargo in 2015 with two spirits – 2 Docks Vodka and Minions Gin. That was also the year we hauled the first load of corn from the Austin and Olivia Stenvold farm to the distillery where it would begin the long process of becoming a bourbon whiskey. Aged nearly two years in charred oak barrels, the bourbon is almost ready for the big time. Our bourbon dinner guests were among the first to taste the new bourbon.

Crooked Furrow Bourbon Whiskey by Proof Artisan Distillers was served in delicious and beautiful cocktails crafted by Proof Mixologist Elijah Larson.

The cocktails were served along with a southern-style BBQ dinner featuring St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs, BBQ Beef Brisket and Memphis Style Pork Butt, among other fixings by Proof Executive Chef Judd Eskildsen.

Guests heard from the people behind North Dakota’s first bourbon. Joel Kath, owner and founder of Proof, introduced his new bourbon and talked about the fascinating process of turning corn into bourbon.

Heidi Korb, owner of Black Swan Cooperage, showed off her locally made charred oak barrels and talked about the coopering process.

Austin Stenvold, local farmer providing corn to Proof and founding member of Coteau des Prairies Lodge, talked about growing and processing corn for making bourbon.

Guests loved the drinks and they were crazy about Chef Judd’s BBQ. We can’t wait to have Judd back for more!

We saw lots of new faces and made new friends at the bourbon dinner.

Click on the image below to open the photo gallery and see more fun photos from our Proof Artisan Distillers Bourbon Dinner. Photos by PhotoRx Media.