Hop on over to Selvedge Brewing for hops inspired from around the world

The hops are hoppin’ at Selvedge Brewing in Charlottesville with original beer flavors and names.

Selvedge relocated to 2415 Ivy Road, Suite 190 near UVA in February after opening at the Wool Factory in April 2020, where it shared space with an event planner.

Co-owner and Chief Brand Officer Brandon Wooten is a Waynesboro High School graduate and studied religious studies at UVA. The name Selvedge comes from the textile term for a self-edged fabric. The term is used usually with fine denim products.

“All of our beer names have some tie to textiles,” Wooten, who lives in Charlottesville, said.

According to Selvedge Head Brewer Josh Skinner, Selvedge keeps eight to 12 beers on tap at any given time. The small business seeks to bring beer culture to the Valley and Central Virginia from around the world, such as Kolsch which is traditionally served in Germany.

Skinner, who earned a degree in anthropology from Radford University, has visited old breweries in other countries. He said that Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933 killed a lot of businesses, so the history of breweries is older in Europe.

“I think that’s one of the reasons there are so many objectively very small breweries that have been in existence for 100, 200, 300 years,” Skinner said.

Wooten said that other countries have been making beer longer than the U.S. has been a country.

Skinner’s favorite Selvedge beer is Pro Seam, Please. Pro Seam means “please” in Czech.

Foam is part of the beer drinking experience. “It really does change the experience,” he said. 

Selvedge’s Innocent Until Proven Quilty is a smoked lager. Skinner said that all lagers were once smoked. In some places in the world, beer is still smoky flavored.

Poplin, based on Tipopils made in Italy, derives from a German-style Pilsner with a dry hop and barley grown on the Adriatic Sea.

“I do like the idea of having an extra nod to that part of the world, Mediterranean,” Skinner said.

Wooten said the reason for founding a brewery in 2020 was because he enjoys beer and he met individuals like Skinner who are good at what they do. He knew who to put in what roles if he opened a brewery.

“We want to create the best possible brewery experience,” Wooten said.

Wooten’s favorite Selvedge beer is called Spool’s Gold, which he said he was unfamiliar with before. Spool’s Gold is a New Zealand hop that is perfect for drinking in hot weather.

Skinner said Spool’s Gold appeals to a broader audience.

Beer is an industrial product, while wine is an agricultural product. Wooten said more is possible with beer than wine varieties.

Food at Selvedge is locally sourced with “as high-quality ingredients as possible,” Wooten said, just like the brewery’s beer ingredients.

Televisions are available for sports viewing in the new location.

Eventually, Selvedge will can and sell its beer on site. Wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

“I think we’re in a good spot to bring good beer to Charlottesville and the area in a space that people want to come to,” Wooten said.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Selvedge will host the Wooly Bully Beer Fest from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wool Factory and include beers from breweries around the Commonwealth.

Selvedge Brewing is at 2415 Ivy Road, Suite 190, Charlottesville and open Mondays and Tuesdays, 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 9 p.m.