ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Highland Brewing Company, Asheville’s original craft brewery, is proud to announce that it has entered into a sponsorship with the 2018 Iditarod Trail Invitational 1,000-mile race champion, Pete Ripmaster. Highland Brewing’s sponsorship of Ripmaster will cover his entry fees for The Arrowhead 135 ultra race in Minnesota and some local races, including Highland Brewing’s own 2018 Night Flight race.
Since moving to Asheville in 2005, Ripmaster has completed a marathon in every state, placed 3rd in the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350-mile race in 2015, and placed 1st the 2018 Iditarod Trail Invitational 1,000-mile race. When not training, Ripmaster serves as a motivational speaker talking on a variety of topics, including: bullying, depression, faith, and setting and achieving goals.
“Pete’s positive attitude is an inspiration to all of us and his dedication aligns closely with Highland’s own tenets of quality and consistency,” says Marketing Manager Molly McQuillan. “Also, among Highland’s weekly running group, our annual Night Flight race, and our sponsorship of the Ville to Ville relay, it was a very easy decision to sponsor him. We are proud to be associated with a world-class athlete like Pete.”
On June 2nd, Ripmaster will give a talk sponsored by Second Gear Outdoor Consignment Shop at Wright Creative in Asheville and the event will feature complimentary Highland beer for attendees. The event will benefit The Hope Chest for Women, Inc. a local nonprofit whose mission is to support women with cancer. Tickets are available for purchase at Second Gear and at MTN Merch in Asheville.
ABOUT HIGHLAND BREWING
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. With a portfolio that is equal parts established and inventive, Highland is known for consistently excellent beer. Proudly regional, Highland is distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky. Annual production around 46,000 barrels makes Highland is the largest independent family-owned brewery born in the Southeast and it has the third largest solar array in an American craft brewery. The brewery is in a rehabilitated manufacturing facility on a hilltop, affording space for thousands of visitors to enjoy limited release beers, tours, and live music. In addition, the event center and rooftop can be reserved for private events. Today, the company is led by Wong’s daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn, and has 50 full-time employees. More information is at www.highlandbrewing.com.