Introducing Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub by Spicewalla

Some characters just belong in Asheville. Scotty is one of them. 

Scotty, the Highland Scotsman, has been part of Highland Brewing’s story since 1994, when he first appeared on the original brand logo. After a hiatus, he made his return in March 2026 on the Gaelic Amber Ale label, and he’s not just back for a cameo. He’s spending the summer celebrating with a limited-edition foodie collaboration: Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub, made in partnership with James Beard award-winning spice brand Spicewalla. 

Born from a Beer, Built for the Grill

Every great collaboration starts with inspiration, and this one starts with Gaelic Amber Ale — Highland Brewing’s flagship beer and the original brew that put Asheville craft beer on the map. At 5.5% ABV, Gaelic Ale strikes an exceptional balance between malty sweetness and delicate hop bitterness. It’s smooth, complex, and endlessly drinkable — the kind of “anytime” beer that pairs with just about anything. 

Turns out, it also makes a pretty great muse for a spice blend. 

Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub takes those same balanced flavor notes and turns them into something you can rub into a rack of ribs. Expect smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet notes, rounded out with a tangy zing of apple cider vinegar and mustard — a true Carolina-style profile built for grilling, roasting, or low-and-slow smoking all summer long. 

The blend: yellow mustard powder, light chili powder (chili pepper, paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic, salt & spices), kosher salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, cane sugar, apple cider vinegar powder (maltodextrin, apple cider vinegar, food-starch modified), garlic, onion, celery seed, and cayenne. 

Our pick for the perfect pairing? Season your meat, get it on the grill, and crack open a Gaelic Amber Ale alongside it. That’s an authentic Asheville experience in one plate. 

You can grab Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub at the Highland Brewing Taproom or through our online store. 

The Spice Behind the Rub: Spicewalla’s Story

Partnering with Spicewalla for this collab was an easy call. Based right here in Asheville, Spicewalla has built a James Beard award-winning reputation on a simple idea: spices should be fresh, not forgotten in the back of a cabinet. 

The brand’s origin traces back to a moment in the kitchen of Chai Pani co-founder Meherwan Irani and his wife, Molly Irani, Chai Pani’s Chief Hospitality Officer. Molly remembers it well — a visit from Meherwan’s mother, freshly arrived from India, who took one look at their post-college spice cabinet, full of bottles that had likely sat on a shelf for years before ever reaching their kitchen, and wasn’t impressed. She restocked their cabinet with fresh spices, and the difference in flavor was immediate and undeniable. 

That contrast became the foundation of Spicewalla. In India, spice knowledge is a tradition passed down largely by women — mothers and grandmothers who hold the food stories and pass them to the next generation. Both Meherwan and Molly were raised by strong, entrepreneurial mothers who also happened to be exceptional home cooks, and Spicewalla was built to share that same love of fresh spices and home cooking with everyone else. 

For Spicewalla, it was never just about what’s inside the tin. It’s about what happens when you open it — the sizzle of spices hitting a hot pan, the aroma that fills the kitchen, the first bite that transports you somewhere new. Cooking, at its core, is a love language, and Spicewalla wants every home cook to season fearlessly, cook boldly, and share the joy that comes with it. 

Two Brands, One Asheville Story 

Highland Brewing and Spicewalla might make very different things, but they’re built on the same values — quality, craft, and a deep connection to Asheville’s food and beverage community. Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub is a celebration of that shared spirit, blending Highland’s flagship beer flavors with Spicewalla’s commitment to bold, fresh seasoning. 

So fire up the grill, grab a bag of the rub, and pour yourself a Gaelic Amber Ale. Scotty’s back, and he’s bringing the flavor. 

Scotty’s Carolina BBQ Rub is available now at the Highland Brewing Taproom and online store.