Meet Karl Herzberg

For Karl, craft beer is a hands-on labor of love that all started with a simple Christmas gift: a Mr. Beer homebrew kit. That single holiday batch sparked a lifelong obsession with the science and craft of fermentation, eventually leading him to the local homebrew club in Danville. It was there, swapping recipes and sharing pints, that he met his future business partners, Herb Atwell and John Andorfer.

Today, as a co-founder and one of the brewers at Mountain Valley Public House, Karl brings years of local brewing expertise and a relentless DIY spirit to Danville’s craft beer scene. His deep roots in the regional beer community include serving as the head brewer at Mountain Valley Brewing and lending his talents to the team at Renewal Brewing in Martinsville.

Karl believes that great beer—and a great business—is built from the ground up. With a professional background as a handyman, he is just as comfortable fixing a cooling pump, fabricating taproom fixtures, or troubleshooting equipment as he is formulating a grain bill. This unique blend of technical problem-solving and craftsmanship ensures that everything from the brewhouse to the glass is running flawlessly.

Whether he is meticulously dialing in a new recipe, managing operations with Herb and John, or working his weekly shift behind the bar, Karl is dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience.

When he isn’t managing production, fixing things around the pub, or serving pints, you can usually find him experimenting with new flavors in the kitchen or managing a beautifully chaotic pack of 12 dogs 16 pigs 8 goats 4 sheep along with some chickens and turkeys at home.

Stop by the public house at 592 Monument Street, grab a seat at the bar, and say hello.