Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Tatarka.
Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A homebrewer-engineer and a chef hiking the Inca Trail…have an epithany and decide to open a small home brewery for their retirement gig. That was 12 years ago. WildManDan Brewery is the dream project of Dan and Terri Tatarka located in Afton, Virginia. They host groups of 12 in their 1870 Farmhouse and share award winning brews in the 1900’s Beer Barn. A couple of happier, silly folks it would be difficult to find as they navigate the larger world of craft brewing. BEER. We’ve been brewing Beer for 20 years. When confronted with ” I don’t drink beer, what do you have for me?” WildManDan calmly replies: the Exit.
As ,members of the greater Nelson151 Craft Beverage Trail, the answer for everyones tastes can be found within 15 miles of mountainous beauty that surrounds us and we happily direct and guide anyone to our fellow craft beverage producers…but if it’s beer you seek, hang here with us beer nerds: when is the last time the brewer handed you your beer fresh off the tap? (We do lovingly make a hard cider 🙂
Our focus is small batch 10 gallons brews which leads to taps changing and the beer ALWAYS fresh. WildManDan has brewing integrity and you can taste it! While we never take ourselves to seriously – we are a 21+ only business for adults (Terri has a proclivity for dropping the F Bomb as she is a pirate who hails for the seas of many a back kitchen in food and beverage) – we DO take our brewing seriously. Evidenced by the awards WildManDan has received over 20 years of brewing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
BnB remodel & 4 years commute from Roanoke every weekend
State shut down our homebrew BnB a year after we opened and after all the monies invested in the property.
Application as a production brewery and build out of brew space in a 1900’s Cola Feed & Seed Barn along with application for zoning change from R-1 to A-1
Opened April Fools Day 2019 and walked right into Covid shut down, engagement rules, EIDL loans (still paying) – we had to adjust on the fly with a Bed and Breakfast of 6 rooms where NO ONE wanted to be in a strangers space – We adjusted to group bookings of 12 with a catering menu available. We utilized the time we were closed to finish out the second floor of the brew barn and additional outdoor seating…if you build it they will come?
…Coming out of Covid, we experienced some growth and then our government fired 300,000 federal workers and contractors with 20% of them centered in DC – which happens to be THE market that visits Nelson County as a weekend get-way…we had 10 immediate cancellations and the famous 151 Senic Roadway where we are located became quiet again in 2025. We made the decision to freeze the price of rental at $950 per night for 12 folks and made sure that we never nickle and dime our guests…the firewood is included, the smores kit basket greets you inside the front door while a hug and a beer await you in the Brew Barn.
Currently supply costs and utilities are excessive while the beer industry is down as a whole around 5% against 2025 as consumer preferences pivot. Over that same timeline, we have been perfecting our brews and have won in the Virginia Brewers Cup each year since 2022. Our International traveler has all but disappeared. We enjoyed hosting folks from Great Britain, Norway, Wales, Australia, Spain, and India but have not hosted any International guests since the Spring of 2025.
In light of the reduce beer market, we are pursuing small local events – our Brew Barn is a cool small venue for a relaxed event and quality top -notched beer. You can even NAME a beer for your Event!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about WildManDan Brewery & Beercentric BnB?
Established in 2018 on a dream and a hope…Dan and Terri wanted to retire and brew beer after years of home brewing. He a fiber optic engineer and she with 30 years in Hospitality. We found a dilapidated property in Nelson County and tested the water…HOORAY…fantastic for brewing beer! The perfect place for a couple of Mischief Makers.
Small Batch = Quick Rotations of Fresh Beer…we never go out of the fresh beer window because we sell out prior
When is the last time the brewer handed you your beer? We work and live here. We love what we do and work behind our own bar at our house. The welcome shingle is out: Thurs-Sun 12-8 PM and Wed 3-8 PM. You will find us brewing on all other days…happily.
Go Pack Go! Did we tell you Terri is from Wisconsin? If the Packers are playing-we are open!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Terri: my life began when I met Dan. He is my luck and so exceptional that I have never asked or wished again. I am content.
Dan: help, assistance, answers appear to materialize exactly when we need.
Nelson County has been a warm hug to us.
Pricing:
- BnB $950 / night for groups of 12
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wmdb3.com
- Instagram: @wildmandanbrewery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GUnzAV6Vb/
