Business

Highland Brewing Co. announces Cold Mountain Winter Ale release

Highland Brewing Co. President/CEO Leah Wong Ashburn speaks to guest at dinner.

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 7, 2025

Highland Brewing Co.'s 29th annual Cold Mountain Winter Ale Release will take place Nov. 7-9 and include a special Cold Mountain Beer Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 6, the Asheville brewery announced on Tuesday.

Voted the No. 1 WNC Beer Event (Mountain Xpress, Best of WNC Awards), the Cold Mountain Release is a popular 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," said Marissa Burns, Highland’s Destination Marketing Manager. "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.” 

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 including 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 on Thursday when 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, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 9. On Monday, Nov. 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.