From Basement Beginnings to Asheville Icon: The Story of Highland Brewing
In 1994, downtown Asheville was a very different place - quiet streets, just a few restaurants, and a handful of bars. But for Oscar Wong and his wife, the charm was undeniable. They fell in love with the mountains, the people, and the maker culture. After selling his engineering company, Oscar tried retirement… but his entrepreneurial spirit had other plans.
At 55 years old, Oscar met an award-winning brewer in Charlotte and proposed an idea:
"I’d love to start a brewery with you, but it has to be in Asheville."
That decision would change Asheville’s brewing scene forever.
The First Brewery Since Prohibition
Opening in a downtown basement beneath Barley’s, Highland Brewing became Asheville’s first brewery since Prohibition. The space was far from glamorous - dark, damp, and tucked away in an alley where drug deals once happened. But what it lacked in polish, it made up for in heart. Oscar’s charisma drew people in, and soon Highland became more than a place to drink beer. It became a place to belong.
Growing With the City
What started as a small manufacturer has grown into a full-fledged destination. Today, Highland Brewing offers:
40 acres of space just minutes from downtown Asheville
Volleyball courts and disc golf
Free live music from talented local artists
A welcoming atmosphere that brings people back week after week
Even more meaningful? Many staff members spend their free time at Highland - a testament to the community culture the brewery has built.
More Than Beer
Highland Brewing has helped spark Asheville’s craft beer boom, with the region now home to dozens of breweries. But for Leah Wong Ashburn, Oscar’s daughter and the current president & CEO, the mission is about more than beer. It’s about multiplying the good in Asheville — supporting local makers, providing gathering spaces, and keeping the community spirit alive.
If you’ve never been, Highland Brewing is just a few minutes from downtown Asheville. Come for the beer, stay for the live music, and soak in the community spirit that’s been brewing here for decades.
📍 Plan your visit: https://highlandbrewing.com/
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