ASHEVILLE, N.C. | September 17, 2026 – Highland Brewing is raising a stein to one of its most beloved seasonal brews with the debut of the Clawtoberfest Beer Dinner, a special culinary event on Friday, September 25. The dinner will showcase traditional Bavarian-inspired cuisine crafted by Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm, recipient of the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast.
Chef Taylor Montgomery is known for his hyper-seasonal approach to Appalachian cuisine at Montgomery Sky Farm, a regenerative farm and culinary destination just outside Asheville. For the Clawtoberfest Beer Dinner, Montgomery will create a festive buffet inspired by classic Bavarian flavors. The menu is thoughtfully curated to pair with German-style beers and to complement the rich malt profile of Highland’s Clawhammer Oktoberfest Märzen Lager.
“Clawhammer has earned a loyal following over the last 18 years and remains one of our most anticipated seasonal releases,” said Marissa Burns, Marketing Manager at Highland Brewing. “We wanted to celebrate that legacy in a way that feels special, and collaborating with Chef Taylor Montgomery brings a new dimension to the Clawtoberfest experience. His thoughtful approach to food makes him an ideal partner for highlighting the flavors and traditions behind this beer.”
The event builds on an already successful partnership between Highland Brewing and Montgomery. For the past two years, Montgomery has helped elevate Highland’s popular Cold Mountain Beer Dinner experience, bringing his distinctive culinary approach to one of the brewery’s most anticipated annual events. He will return this November for Highland’s 30th Anniversary Cold Mountain Beer Dinner.
At the Clawtoberfest Beer Dinner, guests can enjoy a full Oktoberfest experience, including a traditional Bavarian-style dinner, a commemorative stein and live music from Lagerhosen, plus a lineup of Oktoberfest-inspired games, contests and festive entertainment.
This dinner is part of Highland Brewing’s annual Clawtoberfest celebration and honors the 18-year legacy of Clawhammer Oktoberfest Märzen Lager. Tickets are available now and expected to sell quickly.
For event details and tickets, visit: https://highlandbrewing.com/
