Walking through the doors of Proof Distillers in Fargo, it’s clear this is no ordinary tasting room. There’s a history here, a soul distilled into not just the spirits, but also the space. The copper still is affectionately called The Judge, a nod to the courthouse that once occupied the site. A gleaming 16-foot antique bar anchors the space, a survivor of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, rescued from obscurity by a circle of loyal friends. Proof spirits bear the names of lakeside gatherings, lifelong friendships, and even Joel Kath’s grandfather. Proof Distillers doesn’t just craft whiskey, gin, and vodka, they’re weaving history, community, and craftsmanship into every glass.
Origins in Curiosity and Craft
Joel Kath didn’t set out to be a distiller. A self-professed “whiskey in the winter, gin and vodka in the summer” drinker, he’ll tell you he discovered early that quality matters. Cheap spirits deliver headaches, while carefully crafted spirits create experiences that linger on the palate and in memory. That revelation planted a seed.
Recognizing that we have all the makings of good spirits with the ingredients grown right here in North Dakota, Kath leaned fully into the craft. He studied the process, from malting barley to blending botanicals and he got to work enlisting local experts to help him bring his vision to life.
Joel met and built a partnership with Joe Breker, a fourth-generation farmer and pioneer in soil health who has spent more than five decades restoring vitality to North Dakota’s land. Through no-till farming, cover crops, and his innovative 60-inch twin-row corn system, Joe learned that when you care for the soil, it gives back tenfold. Standing together in those fields, Joel saw that Joe’s work spoke to the same principles guiding his craft; patience, respect for the land, and an understanding that quality starts long before the still ever runs.
At Two Track Malting, he found kindred spirits who understood the art and science of transforming North Dakota barley into the foundation of fine whiskey. Together, they talked grain profiles, terroir, and timing, acknowledging how every kernel carries the story of sun, soil, and stewardship.
These collaborations became a thread in the fabric of Proof’s identity, resulting in spirits that are the reflection of place. And if you’re looking for it, you can taste it in every pour: the richness of the soil, the dedication of the hands that farm it, and that good things take time.
Rooted in Place
At Proof, North Dakota is embedded in the DNA of the brand.
Even when experimenting with new flavors, from espresso liqueur to limoncello, those products carry forward a sense of place. The names themselves tie back to local roots: Crooked Furrow, honoring Kath’s grandfather; Two Docks, inspired by lake days when the dream of Proof took shape; and Minions, a playful salute to the circle of friends who have been part of the journey since the start.
Kath believes that the world becomes part of North Dakota’s story when craftsmanship and hospitality intersect. Spirits may take inspiration from global traditions; Irish whiskey, Kentucky bourbon, limoncello from Italy and gin from London, but once they’re made in Fargo, they become part of the North Dakota narrative.
Innovation and Exploration
While rooted in tradition, Proof Distillers is never static. New projects are constantly brewing: ready-to-drink canned cocktails, and seasonal explorations allow for brand expansions stretching beyond North Dakota. Proof’s ready-to-drink line has begun making its mark nationally, giving the brand a larger footprint while still keeping its heart in Fargo.
Kath is adamant that good products can stand anywhere. “We want our spirits to stand toe to toe with anything in the world,” he says. That philosophy of quality and pride guides experimentation, packaging, and storytelling alike.
Kath had his own aha moment during a visit to Arizona. He’d ordered a drink at a restaurant, a Glen Fargo on the rocks. As he visited, he didn’t remember what he ordered until he took his first sip. It was balanced, smooth, and full of character.
“Wow,” he said, “that’s good.”
“His wife smiled. “It should be,” she replied. “It’s ours.”
That moment of recognition, of something crafted in Fargo holding its own anywhere, was quiet validation of everything he had worked for. And if that isn’t “proof” enough, Kath chuckles when he recalls the day a Kentucky bourbon distiller stopped by to visit him in Fargo. After a tour and a few tastes, the visitor walked out the door carrying a case of gin, shaking his head with a grin, “You guys make good gin,” he said. “I’ve never bought gin before.”
Hospitality is Community
But a drink without heart is just a drink. Hospitality is more than a word here; it’s a way of life. Kath keeps more than 130 bottles in his own home bar, not just for personal enjoyment but for the joy of sharing and comparing. Proof’s tasting room feels like an extension of that ethos, a place where family, friends, and strangers alike gather to learn, laugh, and sip.
When we chat with General Manager Lexi Warren, she shares that spirit of hospitality through discovery. She is ebullient when she talks about her love for spirits and helping customers discover new cocktails – taking that first sip, and realizing, this isn’t what I expected. Maybe it’s a gin drinker surprised by Proof’s balanced botanicals, or a whiskey fan realizing North Dakota grain can rival Kentucky bourbon. That surprise, followed by delight, is the experience everyone at Proof hopes to deliver in every pour and every bottle.
But Proof doesn’t exist in a vacuum. From collaborations with local brewers to Pride of Dakota events, the distillery is part of a broader movement in both Fargo’s and North Dakota’s growing food and drink scene. The cocktail culture is catching up fast, fueled by new restaurants, new talent, and a hunger for innovation. Proof is both contributor and beneficiary, helping to put Fargo on the map for those who might have dismissed North Dakota’s craft credentials.
The values guiding it are simple but steadfast: quality, family first, pride in North Dakota, and a respect for tradition.
Looking Forward
Every successful business has a history, but it also has a present and a future. Today, Proof is working on new products, expanded distribution and getting more people into the tasting room for private events. When I ask, “Where will Proof be in five years?” Kath sees innovation, growth, and expansion. He imagines a push deeper into North Dakota and surrounding states, as well as continued experimentation with seasonal and specialty products. The ready-to-drink line is poised to grow, alongside flagship spirits like bourbon and gin.
But at the heart of it, Proof will remain what it is today: a place where every bottle carries a story, every sip is an invitation, and every visitor leaves with a new appreciation for North Dakota’s role in the global craft spirit movement thanks to a history rich in agriculture that makes the ingredients readily available.
A Legacy in Every Glass
Proof Distillers isn’t just about spirits, it’s about honoring the history of the people, places and products that are the fabric of North Dakota. The stills, the bar, the bottles, the names; everything has a lineage, a connection, a thread tying it back to where it came from.
When asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind, Kath was clear it was great products; but most importantly it’s a reputation for craftsmanship, and a pride that puts North Dakota spirits on the map.
Because in Fargo, at Proof, you don’t just drink gin or whiskey. You drink in history, community, and craft. And you leave with a story of your own.
