Scotty, the Face of Asheville’s Original Craft Beer, Brings Highland Brewing’s Gaelic Amber Ale to Food

Scotty, the vibrant character behind Highland Brewing’s Gaelic Amber Ale, is celebrating his return with special appearances on two limited-edition foodie collaborations this summer. The exclusive releases include a uniquely flavored spice blend from James Beard Award-winning brand Spicewalla, plus mouthwatering Taproom exclusives.

As the beloved character who first appeared in Highland Brewing’s logo in 1994, Scotty made his return to Highland Brewing this March.

Highland’s original brew, Gaelic Amber Ale (5.5% ABV), is an amber ale with exceptional balance between malty sweetness and delicate hop bitterness. Its complex flavors and smooth drinkability make Gaelic Ale the perfect “anytime” beer—and a flavorful inspiration for spicy, tangy, collaborative creations.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

• Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub by Spicewalla

This bold, flavorful rub brings smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet notes with a zing of apple cider vinegar and mustard. Perfect for grilling, roasting, or slow-cooking. Grab it from the Highland Brewing Taproom or online store and pair it with Gaelic Amber Ale for an authentic Asheville experience.

• Scotty’s Fire Hot Sauce

This special-edition hot sauce is a fiery-fun collaboration with Consolation Prize Hot Sauce, crafted locally in Asheville. Built on a base of Gaelic Ale vinegar, this sauce layers flavor first and heat second. A low-to-medium spice level comes from a balanced blend of fresno, habanero, japones, arbol, and ancho chilis, creating a bright, savory kick that plays beautifully with Gaelic Ale’s malty, American amber character. Scotty says: splash it, dip it, share it—and always enjoy with a pint of Gaelic Amber Ale close by.

This is your chance to savor Asheville’s original craft beer in new, flavorful ways.

Find Scotty everywhere you can enjoy Gaelic Amber Ale, including on tap handles, bottles, and cans—and now on foodie collabs.

About Scotty

Scotty is a cherished part of Highland Brewing canon and a nod to the ancestry of Western North Carolina, home to Scotch-Irish immigrants in the mid-1800s. The cheeky character sports a beard, traditional Scottish garb, and a mug of beer. When Highland rebranded in 2018, Scotty was retired, but fans never stopped requesting an appearance by the region’s first beer mascot.

First crafted using refurbished dairy equipment, Gaelic Ale was the beer that started it all, opening the door for what would become a thriving, world-renowned craft beer scene in Asheville. Scotty is back on Gaelic Ale packaging, exemplifying the pioneering spirit of both the Scottish folks who left their mark on North Carolina and Highland Brewing Founder Oscar Wong, who introduced Gaelic Ale as Asheville’s first craft beer in 1994.

“Gaelic Ale’s new look brings Scotty back with all his original charm and our flagship’s classic flavor,” said CEO and President Leah Wong Ashburn. “It’s a nostalgic moment for us that honors our history and looks forward with a fresh take on Scotty’s role that is perfectly placed with Gaelic Ale.”

Today, Scotty embodies adventure, tradition, and the pursuit of an unforgettable beer experience. His return is more than just a nod to the past—it’s a celebration of Highland’s rich legacy in craft brewing and ongoing commitment to the company’s Thirst for Good.

Scotty’s reappearance comes during a period of recovery for Highland Brewing’s home in Asheville and Western North Carolina following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. When Helene left Asheville without drinking water for two months in September–November 2024, Highland Brewing stepped in to support the local community, raising more than $13,000 for impacted hospitality workers and transforming its public spaces, warehouse, and beer coolers into offices, a distribution hub, and food storage for multiple relief organizations and countless volunteers. Some Highland staff pivoted from hospitality and production to parking, forklifts, warehouse management, and inventory.

About Highland Brewing

Highland Brewing was founded in 1994 by Oscar Wong, a retired engineer and entrepreneur, making Highland the pioneer of Asheville’s craft beer scene. Since 2016, the minority-founded company is proudly woman-led by Oscar’s daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn. Highland is the largest family-owned brewery native to the Southeast, distributing beers across NC, SC, TN, and GA. Committed to quality and sustainability, Highland operates one of the largest solar arrays in the U.S. craft beer industry. The hilltop destination welcomes visitors for limited-release beers, tours, disc golf, live music, and private events—and will soon feature an outdoor retail shop, a rock-climbing gym, and a pizza restaurant opening in 2026.