Highland Brewing founder, Asheville craft beer pioneer, Oscar Wong, dead at 84
ASHEVILLE - Oscar Wong, a beloved father, friend and community member who became known as the "Godfather of Asheville Craft Beer" as the founder of the city's first brewery, Highland Brewing, has died.
On May 25, Oscar Wong died peacefully at his home with Anna Wong, his wife of 57 years, and one of his daughters, Leah Wong Ashburn, by his side, according to a news release from Highland Brewing. He was 84.
Nearly three years ago, Wong was diagnosed with cancer and given a prognosis of six months to a year to live.
Wong was described as a person who valued the "quality of life and spent his remaining time fully immersed in the love of his family and those he cherished deeply."
He was attributed to saying, 'Personal relationships are the currency of life.' Wong often "expressed deep gratitude for an enriched life that exceeded his wildest imagination," the news release stated.
"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," the news release stated.
Wong's death comes after what was officially recognized as Oscar Wong Day on May 16, commemorating the founding of Highland Brewing and Wong's contributions to setting the foundation for Asheville to become known as a "Beer City."
In 1994, Wong launched Highland Brewing in the basement of Barley's Taproom at 42 Biltmore Ave. downtown.
Wong, the son of Chinese immigrants in Jamaica, attended Notre Dame and went on to lead a long and successful career as an engineer. Upon retirement, Wong made a home in Asheville, where he discovered a new interest: craft beer.
Wong became an entrepreneur, mentor, active society member, and performed community service at ARC, Rotary and UNC Asheville.
In 2023, he was presented by the governor with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian award. Other accolades earned over the decades include the U.S. Small Business Administration's Person of the Year for North Carolina and the Brewers Association's Recognition Award for 'individuals whose inspiration, enthusiasm, and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement.'
Last year, Wong celebrated Highland Brewing's 30th anniversary.
"My vision was that it would be one or two breweries in town, and I'd be one of those and have my personal watering hole and it'd be small," Wong told the Citizen Times in 2024.
Highland Brewing will host a celebration of life for Wong at Noon on June 29.
This is a developing story.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Oscar Wong, Highland Brewing founder, local beer pioneer, dead at 84
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