You might want to grab a beer for this one.
In 1994, Oscar Wong founded Highland Brewing as a post-retirement hobby in the basement of what is now Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria in downtown Asheville. Highland was Asheville’s first brewery since Prohibition.
Since then, Highland Brewing has grown from its underground operation to the largest family-owned brewer in North Carolina.
“I’m proud to be in an industry that made such a difference for the region, the state and in fact for the whole country,” Wong said in this edition of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast. “It’s a whole indusry that didn’t exist just a couple decades ago.”
Wong’s daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn, serves as president and CEO of Highland today.
Wong received the Brewers Association Recognition Award in 2020, and in May 2023, he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, which is North Carolina's highest civilian honor. It’s awarded by the governor to citizens who provide extraordinary service to the state.
In a conversation with Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Wong discusses:
His childhood in Jamaica and what brought him to the U.S.
His time living in Charlotte as an engineer.
How he got into the craft beer business and landed in Asheville.
How North Carolina’s beer industry has changed and grown in recent decades.
Asheville’s strong beer community.
Where he sees the beer industry going in the future.
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Oscar Wong.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
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N.C.'s 'godfather of craft beer,' Oscar Wong