Our Story

From the depths of a career as a raft guide and ski instructor, our owner, David Axelrod (aka Ax), found his post river calling in the art and business of brewing beer. Nothing strikes Ax quite like the incredible ability beer has to bring a community together, and its that draw that he works tirelessly to strengthen, and providing a place for a community to get together is just the beginning. Ax has an MBA in sustainability, sits on the board of the High Country Conservation Center here in Frisco, and seeks to spread his love and passion for sustainability, in hopes to preserve the natural environment we all call home for generations to come.

What did the drummer call his daughters? Anna 1. Anna 2. Our Events Coordinator and jack-of-all trades, The king of Dad Jokes himself, Kurt Zolbe, is the foundation of our private event rentals and all of the entertainment across all three locations here at Highside. Kurt has been here since the beginning and has carried Highside through all of the storms we’ve weathered to make it to where we’re at today. Kurt brings only happy vibes to our team and all of our guests.

Sean is one of the best people you will ever meet, hands down. A free-spirit at heart, Sean has locked in and helped us reach entirely new levels here at Highside. You’ll often find him hustling around and making sure things are dialed in and operating and peak efficiency… but if he’s not keeping things running, he’s fully unplugged and chilling with his dog (and resident Highside greeting paw-ty) Ruby. Sean is also a visionary. He brings a level of creativity to his work that we are supremely grateful for. His tireless work ethic and constant positive attitude are an essential part of the Highside vibe!

Thomas has been brewing beer longer than most of us have been alive… and he’s got the awards to prove it. He’s the mastermind behind some stellar craft brews out there even today, but since he joined the Highside crew, he has been elevating our game to match our altitude. He brings a wealth of knowledge and time-tested techniques to our brew team. On top of that, he’s one of the hardest working people you will ever meet. Thomas has an eye for craft and a commitment to excellence that is putting our beer at the tips of people’s tongues all over the world.

Teresa is relatively new to the Highside crew, but her impact has been nothing short of astounding. She brings a depth of experience and creativity to our brew team that far exceeds her age. Teresa spends her days tucked away in the brewery, coming up with new and tasty ways to bring the Highside experience to our guests. She is well-connected in the craft brewery world and is always finding ways to collaborate and bring our communities together to enjoy great beer, have a great time, and leave better than we started.

Brian is the most recent addition to the Highside crew. He’s made the move all the way from the deep South to join our team and we couldn’t be more stoked! Not only does he bring a new level of quality to our food and menu here at Highside, he is also an expert at developing systems and creating processes that keep all three locations running smoothly. You won’t often find him out on the floor, but that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t felt by all of us on a daily basis. So, if you’re enjoying a tasty plate of smoked BBQ or wolfin’ down a pile of nachos, think of Brian!

Although Mark is most comfortable hiding away behind his computer, you can still spot him from time to time annoying the team for social media content or snapping pictures of the food and beer as it’s flying through the taproom. Whether he’s developing new promotions, designing graphics, or cranking out content, Mark is always pushing to make Highside a truly great experience for all of our guests!