Diamondback Brewing Company

Located in the up and coming Locust Point in Baltimore, MD, I couldn’t NOT go to Diamondback Brewing Company as a fellow Terp! Diamondback was founded in 2013 when 3 recent UMD grads took a risk, and contract-brewed the 3:30 Amber Ale at Eastern Shore Brewing in St. Michael’s, MD. It was distributed in the surrounding area, and thus, the DBC was born. The company has since carried out a facelift, with a new logo, improved brews, and the opportunity for a brick and mortar home. We weren’t sure what to expect as we strolled up to the historical oasis amidst a sea of new construction.

The fresh and unusual tasting room honored the foundation of the original building structure, featuring a brick smoke stack as the center piece, which could be recognized from afar. The industrial décor was comprised of a concrete serving bar, repurposed wood tables, and shelves of beer cans from around the country. Moderately sized, the room had an eclectic mix of guests including families, regs, dogs, and cruise ship passengers with suitcases. We pulled up bar stools near the entrance, not realizing until later how much seating was around the other side. We considered ordering the fresh baguettes and fancy cheese but decided first things first… beer.

Humbled by mistakes of the past and embracing a fresh forward-thinking perspective, Diamondback is focused on crafting quality beers that stand out in a saturated market. The bartender handed us a beer list, which featured 7 beers that could be ordered in either half or full size. By the end of the visit, we had at least a half pour of each. They offer a mix of their staple flagships, as well as a rotating selection that changes every week. In general, we described their beer as wholesome. Without being overly fancy, each beer exhibits a distinct, complex flavor, that you want to sip slowly and savor.

One of our favorites was Ostend Sunday’s, a refreshing blonde ale similar to a juicy pineapple upside-down cake with a dash of hops. Just as delicious was the Omar, an aromatic hazy pale ale with a long-lasting passionfruit flavor that gave us the tease of springtime. On the other end of the spectrum was the Delicate Sensibilities, a high alcohol porter without the additives and fluff that you often see in this style beer. Instead, this beer showcased itself for what it is – a high quality dark, malty beverage.

Unfortunately during our visit, mother nature was giving us the finger one more time before spring. Therefore, it was too cold to open the brewery garage door, which would expose the plentiful outdoor patio furniture that we can’t wait to take advantage of this summer. In general, the brewery is much bigger than first meets the eye. Make sure you peek through the windows in the tasting room that overlook the beer production area. With regards to expansion, Diamondback seems to be focusing on upping their canning game. While 16 oz. cans are sometimes offered in the tasting room, don’t worry if your favorite beer isn’t; you can also get your favorite beer as a crowler or growler.

It’s definitely worth applauding Diamondback for their transparency. They have a blog on their website that breaks down the rhyme and reason for each step of their business. From their goals to their inspiration, they touch on the road that led them to where they are today, as well as where they hope to go. We look forward to continuing on this journey with DBC, especially if it means continuing to explore fresh, diverse brews.