October 7, 2025, Asheville, NC — Highland Brewing is thrilled to announce the return of its most anticipated seasonal celebration — the 29th Annual Cold Mountain Winter Ale Release, taking place November 7–9, 2025, with a special Cold Mountain Beer Dinner on Thursday, November 6.
Voted the #1 WNC Beer Event (Mountain Xpress, Best of WNC Awards), the Cold Mountain Release is a cherished tradition in Asheville and beyond, signaling the official start of the holiday season. Each year, devoted fans of the iconic Cold Mountain Winter Ale eagerly line up ahead of the festivities to be among the first to purchase this season’s limited-edition brew. The event has become a beloved celebration for the community, blending holiday spirit with craft beer enthusiasm.
“We’re humbled that folks have made this event part of their holiday tradition. We’ve witnessed wedding proposals, first dates, and birthdays at the event. One of the most meaningful things to see is people buying Cold Mountain to bring home and share with loved ones during the holidays. Being woven into these personal stories is an honor we cherish,” said Marissa Burns, Highland’s Destination Marketing Manager.
Weekend Highlights Include:
- Fire & Ice Entertainment: Witness dazzling fire spinners, mesmerizing ice carving, and other themed surprises throughout the weekend.
- Live Music All Weekend: Enjoy a diverse lineup of local and regional bands – Lyric, Chalwa, DJ Lil Meow Meow, The Hypos, Mobley, Matt Smith and more.
- Packaged Cold Mountain Spin-offs: Sip on and take home exclusive small-batch brews including Coconut Cold Mountain, Breakfast Cold Mountain, and the newest addition, Cinnamon Roll Cold Mountain. Arrive early to snag a bottle of the ultra-exclusive Barrel Aged Vanilla Cold Mountain. All varieties available while supplies last.
- Draft-only Cold Mountain Offerings: Sample new explorations from Highland’s Innovation Brewing team like Spruce Tip Cold Mountain and Chai Cold Mountain. This year, the brewery also debuts Crushable Cold Mountain, a new, low-ABV version of the beloved ale.
- Interactive Experiences: Capture the moment in a 360° photo booth, explore wintery cocktails, and cheer on teams playing in the Cold Mountain Classic Volleyball Tournament.
- Family Fun on Sunday: The weekend finale features kid-centric musical acts from Grammy-winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and Detective Blind.
- Limited-Edition Merch: Stock up on Cold Mountain gear, Highland winter wearables, and a special Cold Fashioned Cocktail Making Kit — perfect for holiday gifting.
The biggest Cold Mountain fans kick off the festivities at the Cold Mountain Beer Dinner. Thursday, November 6, guests can experience an upscale, curated four course beer dinner hosted by Highland President/CEO, Leah Wong Ashburn, in collaboration with Chef Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farms.
Tickets are required for the beer dinner and to visit the brewery Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9. Monday, November 10, guests can visit the brewery and purchase the remaining Cold Mountain Winter Ale with no ticket. For more information and to purchase tickets visit highlandbrewing.com/coldmountain
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. Proudly regional, Highland’s beers are distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Highland is committed to quality and sustainability, boasting the third largest solar array in an American craft brewery. Today, the company is led by Wong’s daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn, and serves as the largest family-owned brewery native to the Southeast. Located in a rehabilitated manufacturing facility on a hilltop, the brewery affords space for thousands of visitors to enjoy limited release beers, tours, and live music. In addition, the Event Center and Rooftop are available for private events. For more information, visit www.highlandbrewing.com
