On June 25, 2024, I traveled to Ocean City, MD, to meet Nate Todd, the founder, owner, and head brewer of The Other One Brewing Company.
Introduction
The Other One Brewery is the only one in Ocean City MD proper. For many craft beer enthusiasts, the dream of brewing their own beer begins with a simple sip. For others, like Nate Todd, the passion has been brewing since childhood. Starting at the Back Shore Brewing Company, Nate Todd has turned a lifelong ambition into a reality. His journey, which started on the boardwalk in 2013, has since blossomed into a personal love affair with homebrewing.
From the Boardwalk to the Brewery
The Other One taproom in Ocean City MD
Back in 2013, the sun-soaked boardwalk was bustling with energy. Among the shops and food stalls was a new addition—Back Shore Brewing Company. It was more than just a new business for Nate; it was the beginning of a journey he had envisioned since he was a kid.
Nate Todd in The Other One Brewery brewhouse
“I always wanted to work in a brewery,” Nate says. “Ever since I was little, I knew that this is what I wanted to do.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
There’s something poetic about starting out in a brewery by the sea. The waves crashing against the shore, the salt in the air, and the energy of the beach—all of these set the stage for his brewing career. Back Shore Brewing Company provided Nate with his first steps into the brewing world, where his enthusiasm for the craft only grew.
Turning Passion into Practice
Although working at Back Shore Brewing Company was a significant moment in his journey, it was only the beginning. Nate’s real breakthrough came in 2015 when a thoughtful gift from his wife, Gina, reignited his brewing ambitions.
Gina and Nate Todd at The Other One Brewing Co. in Ocean City, MD
“My wife bought me a home brew kit,” he recalls. “And that’s when it really started. I began making my own beers, and I went all in—I bought every magazine I could find and watched countless YouTube videos to learn everything I could.”
“I always wanted to work in a brewery. Ever since I was little, I knew that this is what I wanted to do.”
What began as a thoughtful gesture soon became an obsession. Like many new homebrewers, Nate was fascinated by the creative process. He threw himself into the world of beer, experimenting with different ingredients, styles, and techniques. His kitchen became his brewery, and soon, his friends and family were lining up to taste his creations.
The Brewery and the Beer
Nate served as head brewer at Backshore Brewing here for that operation's last two years, and wound up purchasing much of Backshore's equipment when the company closed in November 2021. He added to that equipment now brews on a 2-bbl system with four fermenters and a bright tank.
The Other One offers an ever-changing selection of beers on its eight taps, seeking to offer a beverage for every taste. The menu, as of press time, ranged from the American cream (a cream ale conditioned over coffee beans) to its getting hot in "beer" (a habanero pale ale) to dark matter (an oatmeal stout). Todd likes to use non-traditional ingredients like coffee, honey and spices, especially if locally sourced. Sales, draft and packaged, are 100% from the taproom.
The Learning Curve
The early days of homebrewing are often full of both triumphs and failures. Nate was no exception, but with each batch, his confidence grew.
“At first, it was a lot of trial and error,” he explains. “But with every mistake, I learned something new. It was all about figuring out what worked and what didn’t.”
For Nate, the key to mastering the art of brewing was perseverance and passion. He never shied away from experimenting, tweaking recipes until they were just right.
“I think that’s one of the best parts about brewing your own beer,” he says. “It’s such a personal process. Every brewer has their own style, their own way of doing things. You can really make it your own.”
““I think that’s one of the best parts about brewing your own beer. It’s such a personal process. Every brewer has their own style, their own way of doing things. You can really make it your own.”
The Craft Beer Community
One of the unexpected joys of Nate’s brewing journey has been connecting with the wider craft beer community. Between attending local beer festivals, joining online forums, and swapping tips with other brewers, he’s discovered a network of like-minded individuals who share his passion.
“The craft beer community is amazing,” Nate says. “Everyone is so supportive and eager to share their knowledge. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced brewer—people just want to help each other out.”
“I think that’s one of the best parts about brewing your own beer,” he says. “It’s such a personal process. Every brewer has their own style, their own way of doing things. You can really make it your own.”
The Name and The Logo
The name The Other One is a nod to one of Nate's favorite Grateful Dead songs. If you tilt your head to the side and look at the brewery logo, you'll see a mini-portrait of Todd, with the two O's forming his circular-rimmed glasses and a hop representing his flowing beard.
The Other One Brewing coaster and logo
Looking Ahead
As Nate continues to hone his skills as a brewer, he remains focused on what matters most: the joy of creating something unique and sharing it with others. While his time at Back Shore Brewing Company gave him the foundational knowledge, it’s his brewing that has given him the creative freedom to truly explore the art of making beer.
Nate Todd, looking out the window at The Other One Brewing
Looking to the future, Nate has no plans to slow down. Whether it’s experimenting with new flavors, collaborating with other local brewers, or even considering opening his own brewery one day, the passion that started on the boardwalk is still burning bright.
“Brewing is just something I love doing,” he says. “It’s been a journey, but it’s one I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
The Other Conclusion
For Nate, the road from a kid with a dream to a passionate brewer has been filled with learning, experimentation, and a strong sense of community. As he continues to brew his way through life, it’s clear that the beer world can expect even more exciting things from him in the future.
The Other One was a great place to stop after a day at the shore, whether walking the OC beach or surfing at nearby Assateague. There were smiles, friends, inviting barstools, and an old, well-worn couch inviting you to stay for another beer.
Unfortunately, we learned that The Othe One has closed since our meeting. The brewery's status on social media around September 13 has been changed to “temporarily closed,” and the website is inactive.
Backshore Brewing Connections
As I meet Maryland Eastern Shore brewers and learn about their brewing resumes, Backshore Brewing Company keeps being mentioned. In addition to Nate Todd, Matt Shockley, brewer and co-owner at Burnish Beer Co., and Adam Davis, former Burley Oak Brewing head brewer and soon-to-open Berlin Beer Co., had brewed at Backshore. Backshore opened in 2012 and closed at the end of 2021. As he was affectionately known, Uncle Nate was brewing there then and announced the closing on social media on November 3, 2021. There, he was prophetic in his statement, “Nate will be making beer somewhere.” Soon afterward, The Other One opened. Let’s hope that that statement is still true with the temporary closing of The Other One. Nate, we hope so! Stay strong.
The Other One Brewing Co.
2305 Philadelphia Ave
Ocean City, MD 21842 (maps)
theotheronebrewing.com