Archaeology-inspired Lost Worlds Brewing now open in Lake Norman area

Its exact address is 19700-D One Norman Blvd., in Cornelius. It’s in the One Norman Plaza.

The brewery is a joint venture between Dave and Allison Hamme, former business consultants who have been home-brewing for 25 years. David Gonzalez, formerly of NoDa Brewing Company and Foothills Brewing, handles the brewing at Lost Worlds.

The beer: Dave says that proximity to the lake influenced the selection found at Lost Worlds. You’ll find “sessionable, lower alcohol, more drinkable” brews. ABVs will be around five percent, lower than most other IPAs.

There are six “Basecamp” beers, which are Lost Worlds’ signature, year-round offerings. This includes Emmer, a cherry wheat beer that’s been a fan favorite so far. Additionally, you’ll find the Adventure Series, which features limited release picks. If a particular beer becomes popular, they’ll add it into the brewery’s permanent rotation.

Lost Worlds has canned three of these beers, which can now be found in approximately 15 locations (with more coming soon) around the greater Charlotte area, including in Uptown, Hickory, and Concord.

Hours: The brewery is open Monday-Thursday from 4-10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

The name: “The Lost World” (the sequel to “Jurassic Park”) was certainly an inspiration for the brewery’s name, but the moniker has a deeper meaning. “We want to be aspirational for people to go out and explore the world. We want our brewery to be the thing that gets them to find their lost worlds and find their adventures,” Dave said.

The space: Dave describes Lost Worlds as feeling like a “turn-of-the-century explorers’ club.” Pay attention to the old maps and other artifacts on the wall, all keeping with the brewery’s “find your adventure” tagline. If you’re curious, their weekly newsletter often highlights the significance behind the decor.

On Wednesdays, join for a socially distanced $10 yoga class in the beer garden. A beer is included. Look for a run club coming on Tuesdays.

The food: Though there’s no kitchen on-site, Lost Worlds has partnered with neighboring restaurants to offer a selection of food available via tableside service. The team at Choplin’s has created a menu specifically for the brewery, featuring pub fare like an oversized pretzel with beer cheese. The Brussels sprouts have been another popular pick, Dave said.

You’ll also find award-winning Chicago-style pizza and pub fare from Matt’s Chicago, plus a rotating list of food trucks on the weekends.

Social distancing guidelines: Lost Worlds asks visitors to wear masks inside when they move about the brewery. Tables are spaced six feet apart, and sanitizer is provided at all entrances. Lost Worlds has a 3,000-square-foot beer garden that allows  space for social distancing. The brewery offers tableside service, minimizing the need for guests from non-related groups to interact.