Brewery Profile

Highland Brewing Co

Asheville’s modern beer identity has many reference points, but this brewery has a particular historical marker: established in 1994, it is recognized as the city’s first legal brewery since Prohibition. A visitor arriving in the industrial area should expect a working production setting rather than a small storefront brewpub. The site includes a large production brewery alongside a taproom, so the experience connects the scale of regional brewing with a public-facing place to drink. The taproom is also used for local events and gatherings, which gives it a community function beyond simply serving beer. For travelers trying to understand Asheville’s beer scene, it offers a look at one of the longer-running names in a city now widely associated with craft brewing.

Visitors to western North Carolina often look for breweries that show both local character and the broader range of American craft beer. A stop here fits that pattern because the brewery’s portfolio includes year-round offerings as well as seasonal releases, and its core lineup has historically included ales and lagers. That makes it a practical choice for groups with varied tastes, especially for travelers who want familiar style categories alongside rotating options. Since distribution is primarily focused on the Southeastern United States, some beers may already be recognizable to regional visitors, while others may be easier to explore at the source. The large-scale brewing system also gives the visit a different feel from a very small neighborhood operation; it is a place where visitors can see how an Asheville brewery functions as both a local taproom and a regional producer.

For planning purposes, the taproom is the best place to confirm the day’s pours, current seasonal releases, and any scheduled events. The known visitor amenities center on the taproom and the brewery’s role as a host for local gatherings, so it is wise to check directly before assuming details such as tours, food service, reservations, or family and pet policies. Its industrial-area setting may influence transportation choices, especially for visitors moving between multiple Asheville stops in one day. Travelers interested in beer history may want to pair the visit with other Asheville breweries to compare different eras of the city’s growth, while those with limited time can treat it as a single stop that represents both the early development of Asheville craft beer and its present-day production scale.

Highland Brewing Co. operates in Asheville, North Carolina, situated within the city's industrial area. The facility includes a large production brewery and a taproom that frequently hosts local events and gatherings. Established in 1994, it holds the distinction of being Asheville's first legal brewery since Prohibition. Their portfolio includes a range of year-round offerings and seasonal releases, with distribution primarily focused on the Southeastern United States. The brewery utilizes a large-scale system to produce its core lineup, which historically includes various ales and lagers.

Website available

12 Old Charlotte Hwy Ste H, Asheville, North Carolina, 28803-9419

Phone: 8282993816

Website: https://highlandbrewing.com/