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Owen Ogletree's
Monthly Brewtopia Brewsletter
July 15, 2024
Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia.info, a group beer trip organizer, columnist for Southern Brew News and Beer Connoisseur Magazine, lecturer at Knoxville's Brewing & Distilling Center, founder of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting, and a BJCP National Beer Judge.
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Follow our craft beer adventures...
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- Highland Brewing's Leah Wong Ashburn
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 Women of Beer:
Leah Wong Ashburn
CEO of Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC
By Kerri Allen
Leah Wong Ashburn's journey in the craft beer industry has been a dynamic and evolving one, shaped by her experiences and the influence of her father, Oscar Wong, founder of Highland Brewing in Asheville. Initially turned down for a brewery job by her father, Leah pursued roles outside the family business, gaining valuable experience in sales, marketing, and leadership. Leah acknowledges, “Being turned down for a job by my father was disappointing at the time, but now I know that gaining my own work experience outside the family business was the best move for everyone.” Eventually, in 2011, Leah joined Highland Brewing Company and gradually rose through the ranks to become President in 2015 and CEO in 2018.
Despite the challenges and pressures of leading the brewery during a period of industry growth and change, Leah found immense fulfillment in being a part of Highland Brewing, a company deeply ingrained in the Asheville community. She values the collaborative and supportive nature of the craft beer industry, where she can work with passionate individuals and continue to learn from expert brewers and scientists within the company. Leah shares, "What I love most about being part of a brewery is the beer we create and our brewery family that's deeply woven into the fabric of Asheville."
A Love for Asheville
 When asked why Asheville is a special place for beer, Leah explains that the town is known for its independent spirit, stunning natural surroundings and vibrant, creative community. The region's abundant resources, including high-quality water for brewing, contribute to Asheville's reputation as a hub for craft beer enthusiasts. “We are surrounded by creators in beverages, music, art, food, clay, paint and much more," Leah declares. "We have incredible water for brewing. Our reservoirs are so close that they are visible from some of our hiking trails.”
To protect the water and gorgeous surroundings, Highland Brewing, under Leah’s guidance, has the brewery running on solar power. Highland boasts the sixth-largest solar array of all independent or craft breweries in the USA and the 22nd-largest worldwide. The wood used to build the bars at Highland's event center was harvested from brewery property, and the light poles in front of the center come from used kegs. "Our goals at Highland revolve around an ethos of reduce, reuse, and recycle,” Leah notes.
Leah takes pride in Highland Brewing's involvement in community programs. She explains, "We have a philanthropic program called Pints for Purpose, with proceeds going to five community partner organizations which focus on natural resources, people in need, animals in need, health, wellness and cultural resources."
 A Head for Business
Leah acknowledges that a big challenge has been balancing the demands of her brewery role amidst industry shifts and external pressures. However, her dedication and leadership were evident in the successful rebranding of Highland Brewing in 2018, a decision that proved to be a rewarding milestone for the company. The rebrand tops Leah’s list of rewards as leader of Highland Brewing. She says, “I was immersed in it and believed in it. I took a lot of heat. More accurately, we received a lot of heat that I chose not to read. Rebranding paid for itself in one year, exceeding my expectations.”
Possessing good instincts and knowing your business can bring success, even in tough times. Leah shares, ”My biggest challenge has been accepting that I’ve done enough of the right things. With slowing growth, the pandemic, cost increases, changing staff needs and staff changes, it can be hard not to think about it constantly.”
Beer is for Everyone
Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the beer industry, Leah emphasizes the need for women and minorities to have a seat at the table. "Breweries can enhance their business practices and better connect with consumers by fostering a diverse workforce and welcoming a broader audience," she comments. “I found that having women in leadership positions attracts more women to the company at all levels. Beer is for everyone.”
Readers should definitely put a visit to Highland Brewery on their radar. As the first craft brewery in Asheville since Prohibition, Highland has achieved the rank of largest family-owned, female-led brewery in the Southeast. Under the thoughtful leadership of Leah Wong Ashburn, Highland Brewing continues to create exceptional beer and holds a revered place in the hearts of regional craft beer lovers.
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Owen Ogletree will be the MC of this engaging beer symposium that offers free admission. Please join us!
.........
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, January 31, 2026
(Owen is "old" and will take a break from ACAT in 2025.)
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- Modern Hops Brings New Beers to Georgia
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 Georgia craft beer distributor Modern Hops announces exciting new brews that will hit Georgia retail stores, restaurants and bars next week:
 Baby Ghost, Parish (5.5% New England IPA) offers the big hop profile of Ghost, but in a compact format, with double dry hopped quantities of Citra hops without the heavy impact of a high ABV. [UnTappd 4.21] (Available in cans and kegs)
Super Bloom, Parish (8% New England IPA) is a hazy Double IPA with extra helpings of hand-selected Citra and Nugget hops that complement one another for a deep citrus and stone fruit profile. [UnTappd 4.3] (Available in cans and kegs)
Berliner Weisse with Blueberry, Stoneface (3.7% Fruited Berliner) is a traditional German wheat ale that is kettle soured for a tart flavor profile and thirst quenching finish. The addition of local blueberries create a nice, sweet balance paired with a beautiful berry hue. (Available in cans and kegs)
Six Grains from Sunday, Stoneface (4.2% Farmhouse Ale) is a dry saison brewed in collaboration with Blue Ox Malt. (Available in cans)
Regularly Scheduled Programming, Stoneface (7.2% New England IPA) is a hazy IPA featuring Citra, Rakau, and Zappa hops to bring forth notes of fruity pebbles, mango, and guava. [UnTappd 4.07] (Available in cans and kegs)
 Fluff Stuff - Cherry, Drekker (6% Fruited Sour) is a fruited sour stuffed with tasty cherries and sweet and fluffy marshmallows. [UnTappd 4.2] (Available in cans and kegs)
Die To Ride, Drekker (6.5% IPA) is a hazy IPA with HBC 586, Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, and Waimea hops to bring peachy, watermelon-y, and bubblegum-like aromas. (Available in cans and kegs)
Reaper of Souls, Lost Druid (5.9% Kölsch) is a German-inspired Kölsch for all you crisp lager fans.(Available in kegs)
 Mental Prison, Lost Druid (9% IPA) is a hoppy Double IPA balanced in bitterness and sweetness with notes of tangerine, pineapple, and strawberry. (Available in kegs)
Golden Dawn, Lost Druid (3.9% Pale Ale) is an English summer ale perfect for the summer heat. (Available in kegs)
Standing Ovation, Lost Druid (5.4% Pilsner) is an Italian-style pilsner featuring soft fruit notes with a hint of sauvignon grapes balanced with a subtle peppery bite. (Available in kegs)
Bo Aire, Lost Druid (3.2% English-style Milk Stout) is a milk stout that is black in color with malt sweetness. Chocolate and caramel dominate the flavor profile and contribute to the aroma. (Available in kegs)
Modern Hops is a valued sponsor of this Brewsletter.
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- Follow Owen Ogletree and Brewtopia Events on Social Media
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 UP NEXT...
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Owen Ogletree and The Beer Wench head to the lovely city of Greenville, South Carolina, to scope out the best craft breweries in town!
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