Meet Will Warren, Director of Brewing Operations
His curiosity piqued with a sip of Red Hook IPA back in 2002, which was the turning point to his journey into brewing beer. Much earlier, he served in the aviation electronics helicopter division in the US Marine Corps while completing avionics engineering coursework at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. According to Will, he’s always been a bit of a “gear head” and good at fixing and figuring out things. What a lot of people don’t realize is how crucial this skill becomes when you eventually find your calling in the craft beer industry.
Get to know Will here and join us in welcoming him to the Lost Worlds family!
Q: What led you into the brewing industry?
A: I've always had a knack for mechanical and have been on the technical side of brewing, but my true passion lies in crafting recipes. Brewing seemed like the perfect blend of both worlds.
Q: How did you begin brewing craft beer?
A: It all started with a rather unpleasant encounter with a Red Hook IPA. Curiosity got the better of me, and I began experimenting with home brewing in 2007. I did this for a couple years then wanted to see what the professional side looked like. I started volunteering at breweries to help because I was looking to make a career change. I had this idea to open my own place, but I lacked experience on the financial side of things. That’s when I met Scott Cavendish and we soon opened Cavendish Brewing in 2015. I like to say “I threw myself to the wolves” when I started brewing on a 15BBL system but managed to figure it out.
Q: What do you feel makes you a good brewer?
A: I think my knack for thinking outside the box and developing new recipes keeps my skills sharp. Creativity is key in this industry and my mind is always racing with innovative recipes to try.
Q: Previously, you worked for Community Brewing Ventures/Bevana where you managed production brewing for many brands of craft beer. What skillset from that experience do you bring to this role?
A: Production brewing is all about scaling-up recipes to meet demand. It's a blend of art and science, ensuring consistency while adapting to larger systems. As Lost Worlds continues to grow, I can put these skills to work for the brand.
Q: What excites you about joining Lost Worlds?
A: Lost Worlds has tremendous potential for growth. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to experiment with new techniques and styles while maintaining a core lineup of quality brews. I also look forward to bringing my background in sours and fruity beers to the mix. Plus, I just love the Lost Worlds brand -- I’ve always been interested in history (specifically ancient Egypt) and when I spend time in the taproom, I always enjoy learning something.
Q: What's your vision for the Brew House?
A: I envision a brewery that's not afraid to push the boundaries of flavor. From adventurous new brews to engaging with our community, I want Lost Worlds to be a hub for innovation and connection.
Q: You’ve won a few beer awards in your decade of brewing. Can you share these accomplishments?
A: I’m proud to be recognized by my peers and humbled to share the accolades. In 2023, when I was brewing for D9, I won a Bronze in the Great American Beer Festival Award for German Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout. The GABF award was truly an honor. Over the years, I’ve also been awarded 5 gold medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in NC Brewer’s Cup competitions. I hope to add more metal for Lost Worlds and build on the awards we’ve already won.
Q: What’s the best adventure you’ve been on?
A: Spending time in Frankfort, Germany visiting my wife’s family in a town called Weisbaden. I would love to go back and spend more time there some day – and go on a beer adventure of course!
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born and raised in CLT, then lived in Florida, Arizona and California. It was the cost of living that brought my wife and I back from Long Beach. We wanted to move where we had an anchor, so it was family that brought us home.