John Schoeb & Andrew Messina • Founding Owners
John Schoeb was searching for a place to relax and to spend time with friends and family, all while enjoying a cold beer with a view.
He teamed up with long time friend and fraternity brother, Andrew Messina, and together they purchased the former Crozet Moose Lodge and opened Pro Re Nata Brewing Co. in 2015. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, VA, Pro Re Nata found what it needed: the perfect spot.
Since its founding in 2015, Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall has been a staple of the Charlottesville beer and music scene and has grown into a multi-plex. PRN's complex now includes the Original Brewery and Taproom, the Main Taproom & Main Stage, an outdoor shipping container bar and event space dubbed "the Farmacy", the Farmacy outdoor stage, and two expansive patios with ample seating, fire pits, and gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Today, along with new partners, PRN has expanded its offerings to include seasonal brews; cider; wine; Hops Kitchen™; live, local music every week; and so much more. All the while . . . The beer keeps getting better and the view hasn't changed.
With always-on-tap flagship brews and seasonal brews, hard ciders, wine and canned cocktail options, Pro Re Nata also has several on-site dining choices including Hops Kitchen and Za Spot. In 2021, Pro Re Nata was voted Charlottesville’s Finest Brewery and Finest Taproom by Charlottesville's Finest.
David Steeves • Head Brewer
David was born and raised in Charlottesville just a five-minute drive from Pro Re Nata. He started his career in the brewing industry in 2010 at Starr Hill Brewing in Crozet, Virginia where he first became passionate about the art and science of brewing. He then enrolled in the Craft Brewer’s Apprenticeship Program at The American Brewer’s Guild, an intensive brewing science and engineering program at one of only three brewing schools in the country at the time.
After completing the structured apprenticeship at Flying Dog Brewing in Frederick, Maryland, he was hired on and quickly worked his way up to Lead Pilot Brewer where he continued brewing for four years. Eventually, he wanted to get back to his home state of Virginia and bring what he had learned to the brewing scene there. After getting Trapezium Brewing in Petersburg, Virginia up and running and into state-wide distribution, he co-founded Three Roads Brewing in
Farmville, Virginia where he served as Brewmaster for the next five years; eventually opening a second production facility in nearby Lynchburg. Finally, after spending the entire summer of 2021 exploring the country looking for the next best opportunity to open or run a brewery, the call of his hometown brought him back to
Charlottesville. Having known the owners and brewers at Pro Re Nata since day one and watching its growth and opportunity to continue brewing beer in his hometown, it was a perfect fit to join the team as Head Brewer!
Pro Re Nata is Committed to the Environment
Our commitment to making a premium product doesn't stop at the brewing process, we have tapped into renewable energy sources in a productive way! 2016 saw the installation of 2 electric car charging stations and most recently, in 2020, we installed 250 solar panels that provide over 60% of our daily energy needs. We remain committed to doing our part.
PRN also offers stainless steel pint glasses, available for purchase every day. Get yours today and enjoy $0.25 off every refill!
With great beer comes great responsibility!
Faces Around the Brewery
Judy
Nina & John
Erik
Mike the Flan Man
Brian
Aaron
Amy
Jack
Mark
Helen
Mary Beth
Tamela and Aleisha
Kelly
Joe
Matt
Will & Judy
Rich
Shannon
Grace
Floyd