Bad Martha Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Craft beer brewing |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Jonathan Blum |
| Headquarters | Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Cape Cod, South Shore of Boston, Martha’s Vineyard |
| Products | Craft beers |
| Website | www |
Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery is a craft brewery based in the United States, established in 2013 by Jonathan Blum. Its headquarters are located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, with additional sites in Edgartown and Falmouth. The brewery specializes in craft beers that incorporate wild grape leaves hand-harvested from Martha’s Vineyard and collaborates closely with regional farms to source ingredients such as fruits, honey, oysters, and coffee.
History
The brewery commenced operations in June 2013, launching with Vineyard Summer Ale and Martha’s Vineyard Ale. Annually, it produces approximately 50 unique craft beer varieties, utilizing locally sourced components to create distinctive flavors. In 2014, Bad Martha unveiled its primary tasting barn in Edgartown, inspired by the design of Napa Valley wine tasting rooms. This facility houses a 7-barrel brewing system and offers up to ten different beers on tap that rotate regularly.
In September 2019, the company expanded by opening a larger brewery in Falmouth featuring a 15-barrel brewing system and an integrated canning line. This expansion aimed to broaden distribution across Cape Cod and the South Shore of Boston while continuing brewing activities at the Edgartown location. Both establishments provide beer gardens with options for indoor and outdoor seating, food pairings, and retail sales of growlers, crowlers, and canned beverages.
The brand identity of Bad Martha revolves around its mermaid emblem, which draws inspiration from a local myth associated with explorer Bartholomew Gosnold. A signature element of their brewing process is the inclusion of wild grape leaves as a proprietary ingredient. The company’s core mission promotes community involvement under the slogan Get Bad. Do Good. Early profits are directed toward hunger-relief organizations within their service areas, and the brewery supports local agriculture by sourcing ingredients nearby and donating spent grains for animal feed.
Since its founding, Bad Martha has contributed notably to charitable causes such as The Island Food Pantry and MV Boys & Girls Clubs, strengthening its reputation as a socially responsible business within the regional craft beer sector.
Awards
Since 2014, Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery has received 13 international awards recognizing its beer quality and market impact. Boston Magazine ranked it as the second-best brewer in Massachusetts in 2018. In 2019, its Martha’s Vineyard Ale—an English Special Bitters style—won a second gold medal. Additional honors include gold medals for Martha’s Vineyard Export Lager (Dortmunder) and Pumpkin Pie Bock (Fruit & Spice), silver medals awarded to Cucumber Jalapeno Kolsch and Vineyard Summer Ale, as well as bronze medals for White IPA, Tim’s Beach Plum Ale, Roscoe’s Brown Ale, Pumpkin Pie Bock (Belgian), and Bourbon Barrel Aged Strong Ale. These distinctions underscore the brewery’s commitment to excellence and competitive standing in the craft beer market.