Bad Martha Beer

Bad Martha Beer is a craft brewery founded in 2012 and rooted in the culture and spirit of Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The brand was established by co-founders Jonathan and Peter, who envisioned a beer company that prioritized community giving alongside producing quality craft ales. From its earliest days, Bad Martha committed to donating the first 10% of profits to local hunger relief charities, beginning with the Island Food Pantry on Martha's Vineyard.

The brewery launched its flagship product in partnership with Mercury Brewing, a well-regarded contract brewer based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, known for its expertise in executing partner recipes with precision. The collaboration involved an extensive tasting process overseen by an inaugural master brewer, ultimately yielding the Martha's Vineyard Ale — a craft ale that became the cornerstone of the Bad Martha lineup.

In June 2014, Bad Martha opened its first Farmer's Brewery tasting room on Martha's Vineyard, modeled after Napa Valley-style winery tasting rooms where all beers on tap are available for complimentary sampling. The taproom experience quickly gained traction among island residents and visitors alike, offering flights, growlers, and branded merchandise. A second location in East Falmouth was opened in September 2019, expanding the brewery's physical footprint to the Cape Cod mainland.

Beyond beer, Bad Martha's taproom locations offer a food menu featuring soft pretzels, shareable veggie and charcuterie platters with rotating selections of meats, cheeses, and seasonal produce, as well as thin-crust artisan pizzas. The brewery also hosts community events, seasonal celebrations such as its annual Taste of Summer release party, and local gatherings at its venues.

Distribution of Bad Martha beer has extended beyond the islands and Cape Cod to the broader Massachusetts market, including Boston, where the brand made its city debut in September 2013 at Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant. Distribution has been handled through L. Knife/Craft/Seaboard, a regional beverage distributor.

Following an ownership transition in early 2019, Jonathan independently owns and operates the Edgartown and Falmouth brewery locations, as well as all distribution channels. The company has expressed interest in expanding with a third Farmer's Brewery location, potentially in Connecticut. Bad Martha continues to operate as a community-minded craft brewery with a distinctive regional identity tied to the leisure and lifestyle culture of Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod.