Highland Brewing Company

Highland Brewing Company began in the basement of Barley's Taproom in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, in 1994. It was founded by Oscar Wong, a Jamaican man of Chinese descent and an engineer by trade, and two brewers, one of whom is our brewmaster today. Our brand was developed in honor of the Scots-Irish who settled in the Appalachian mountains of NC. Wong always loved beer and started this second career as "a fun project," when not a single brewery existed in the city. Today, Asheville has one of the most dynamic beer industries on the east coast.  Through the years the company has grown from a three-person operation to a staff of over 40, from about 4,000 to 35,000 square feet, and from a capacity to brew 2,000 barrels annually to over 40,000. Guests who toured the old brewery may remember the retrofitted dairy equipment. Those tanks have since been sold to a biodiesel company for their third job, which is just one example of our reuse/repurpose/recycle philosophy. Our production facility is essentially waste-free due to constant attention to new practices and opportunities to reduce environmental impact. On our pilot system, we create the "Brewer's Stache," an ever-changing think tank (drink tank?) where we experiment with seasonal styles, high gravity brews, cask ales, and anything the brewers dream up. Come see us for a taste!  We offer tours Monday through Saturday - please check our website for times and special event details. Tours are free. Please consider a donation to Manna Food Bank in cash or canned goods to feed neighbors in need. The Tasting Room is generally open Monday through Thursday 4-8pm Friday, 4-9PM, Saturday 2-9pm and Sunday 1-6PM with free live music Friday and Saturday, 6:30-8:30pm. Please check our website for special events.