2BAR Spirits Celebrates International Women’s Month + Honors Its All-Female Production Team

2BAR Spirits will host its monthly happy hour open to all on March 28, but this isn’t your average cocktail hour—it’s a full-on celebration of the women behind the award-winning brand’s bourbon.

In honor of International Women’s Month, 2BAR Spirits is proudly recognizing Head Distiller Madeline Kelly and Distiller Sonie Watson, the women who make 100% of 2BAR’s handcrafted bourbon.

Kelly and Watson will be on hand at 2BAR’s “Meet the Makers” happy hour and will be serving up their favorite craft cocktails.

MEET THE MAKERS

COST | Free entry; bourbon tastings and cocktails of the month available for purchase ($6)

Come for the bourbon; stay for the connection.

2BAR hosts happy hour on the fourth Friday of every month, but this one? It’s going to hit differently.

“At 2BAR, we don’t just make bourbon—we make moments. Our dedicated production team is the secret sauce, pouring creativity, passion, and a little bit of fire into every bottle,” said 2BAR Spirits’ Founder Nathan Kaiser.

MEET THE MAKERS BEHIND THE BOURBON

Madeline Kelly | Head Distiller

Madeline Kelly joined the 2BAR Spirits team in 2013, mixing her love for food, chemistry, and a bit of mad scientist energy into the fine art of distilling. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, she was hooked on the magic of turning science into booze. She started at 2BAR as a volunteer and quickly worked her way up the ranks. A decade later, she’s running the production at 2BAR, and honestly, she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she’s not crafting liquid gold, she’s wrangling three young kids, rock climbing with her husband, or cooking up a storm for her family and friends. In short, she’s the sorceress of both bourbon and chaos.

Her go-to cocktail? The Paper Plane—perfectly balanced, just like the way she approaches both bourbon and life. Featured at the Meet the Maker event.

Sonie Watson | Distiller

Sonie Watson’s passion for the adult beverage industry started at an early age with a childhood fascination—mixing up simple ‘cocktails’ for her mother and her mother’s friends during their weekly get-togethers (“Yes, I was 9 years old, mixing drinks!” laughs Watson). That early spark ignited a lifelong curiosity, leading her from mixing drinks at home to bartending to various roles in the industry—and eventually to distilling. Watson’s journey with 2BAR Spirits began as a customer, and after being invited to volunteer, she’s now become a proud part-owner. Watson is a hands-on creator, whether she’s distilling spirits, creating 2BAR’s Chocolate Bitters featuring Seattle’s Spinnaker Chocolate, selecting and designing glassware, or crafting the ultimate bourbon cocktail. But more than anything, she is a people person. Watson believes in the power of food and drink to connect us, whether in moments of joy or challenge. She’s particularly enthusiastic about sharing her bourbon knowledge with anyone willing to “geek out” with her. From brand representation to mixology, Watson embraces all facets of the industry. She’s excited to continue learning and growing and invites people to join her in celebrating the artistry and camaraderie of the spirits world.

Her drink of choice? The Boulevardier—because she doesn’t do anything halfway. Featured at the Meet the Maker event.