Planning a trip to Asheville, North Carolina—widely known as Beer City USA? No visit is complete without exploring the birthplace of the city’s craft beer scene at Highland Brewing, Asheville’s original brewery. Their new Highland Heritage Tour & Tasting offers an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience that brings the rich history of Asheville craft beer to life.
What to Expect on the Highland Heritage Tour
This guided tour lasts approximately one hour and 20 minutes and takes you through Highland Brewing’s impressive 40-acre hilltop campus. Guests explore key areas including:
- The brewhouse
- Pilot room
- Taproom
- Meadow
- Packaging hall
- Recreation areas
The scenic grounds feature a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts, and two vibrant murals by local artist Gus Cutty. The tour ends with a guided tasting of six of Highland’s iconic beers, including popular favorites like Highland Haze IPA, plus a take-home Highland pint glass and sticker as souvenirs.
Asheville Craft Beer History Comes Alive
More than just a brewery tour, the Highland Heritage experience dives deep into Asheville’s brewing heritage. It all started in 1994 when founder Oscar Wong brewed the city’s first craft beer: Gaelic Amber Ale. Oscar earned the nickname “Godfather of Asheville Craft Beer” for pioneering the vibrant local beer culture that thrives today. Though Oscar passed away last year, his legacy continues to shape the community.
“We can’t wait to share our story, our process, and a flight of freshly brewed craft beer with beer fans traveling to Western North Carolina,” said Leah Wong Ashburn, Oscar’s daughter and current CEO and President of Highland Brewing. “We’re bringing beer lovers in to be a part of Asheville’s storied brewing history that carries on today at Highland Brewing with a focus on community, quality, and exceptional experiences.”
Commitment to Quality, Sustainability, and Community
After more than 30 years, Highland Brewing’s story keeps evolving. In 2025, the brewery launched Thirst for Good, its initiative focused on great flavors, sustainable practices, and enriching community experiences. Following Hurricane Helene, Highland stepped up by raising over $13,000 for impacted hospitality workers and converting its spaces into a relief hub for organizations and volunteers.
Tour Details and Booking Information
- Ticket Price: $20 per person
- What’s Included: Guided tour, tasting flight of six beers, Highland pint glass, and sticker
- Best For: Beer enthusiasts, groups, corporate events, bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and more
- Extras Available: Custom tours and disc golf options
Reserve your spot and learn more at highlandbrewing.com/tours.
About Highland Brewing
Founded in 1994 by retired engineer and entrepreneur Oscar Wong, Highland Brewing pioneered Asheville’s craft beer scene. Since 2016, the minority-founded brewery has been proudly woman-led by Oscar’s daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn.
Highland is the largest family-owned brewery native to the Southeast, with distribution across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The brewery stands out for its commitment to quality and sustainability, operating one of the largest solar arrays in the U.S. craft beer industry.
Visitors to the hilltop destination enjoy limited-release beers, tours, disc golf, live music, and private events. Coming in 2026: an outdoor retail shop, rock-climbing gym, and pizza restaurant.
Whether you’re a craft beer lover, history buff, or simply exploring Western North Carolina, the Highland Heritage Tour & Tasting delivers an unforgettable blend of beer, stories, and community spirit. Add it to your Asheville itinerary today!
For more information, please visit https://highlandbrewing.com/
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