Highland Brewing was founded in 1994 by retired engineer and entrepreneur Oscar Wong, establishing it as the pioneer of Asheville, NC’s now booming craft beer industry. Oscar, lovingly known as the “Godfather of Asheville Craft Beer” passed peacefully at home on Sunday, May 25, 2025 with Anna, his wife of over 57 years, and Leah, one of his two daughters, at his side.
Upon his cancer diagnosis, Oscar’s doctor gave him 6-12 months, yet he lived well for the better part of three years. He valued quality of life and spent his remaining time fully immersed in the love of his family and those he cherished deeply. He liked to say, “Personal relationships are the currency of life,” and recently, he repeatedly expressed deep gratitude for an enriched life that exceeded his wildest imagination.
Oscar Wong, the trailblazer
Oscar Wong is celebrated as a trailblazer, mentor, and friend to so many. From his humble beginnings as the son of Chinese immigrants in Jamaica, to Notre Dame, to a career as an engineer, to community service at the ARC, Rotary and UNC Asheville, to handball, to Highland, Oscar’s legacy is woven into the fabric of every community he touched.
Oscar was an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who embodied generosity, humility, and above all else, connection. Whether telling a story of the old Highland days, giving advice to an employee, or hand-writing a heartfelt note in exquisite penmanship, Oscar had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, or even meeting him once, likely felt touched by Oscar’s sincere and vivacious spirit.
Oscar, the giver
To Oscar, success was not just about achievement but about giving back. His leadership and passion turned a post-retirement hobby into a pioneering brewery that shaped a city. Throughout his lifetime, he was honored with countless awards, among them: the US Small Business Administration’s Person of the Year for NC; the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award; and the Brewers Association’s Recognition Award for “individuals whose inspiration, enthusiasm, and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement.”
Oscar’s legacy lies in the lives he touched—as a loving father and friend, a role model for employees, a humorous and inspirational figure in the community, and a kind soul who believed in building businesses and bonds. From sipping scotch with friends every Friday to playing handball at 84, Oscar lived fully and always encouraged those around him to do the same.
Bruce Burns says
I heard it from you first. He was a pioneer that was the first in Asheville.