Introducing Bad Martha, a Local Beer Benefiting Island Food Pantry

Bad Martha Beer debuted in bars, restaurants and package stores in Martha's Vineyard last week. The brand new beer is built on the simple idea that community comes first and this idea’s brought to life with a socially responsible business model that donates a portion of the profits to address hunger on the island. Island Food Pantry will receive a portion of the sales of Bad Martha.

Bad Martha will be initially introducing two ales. The first, a seasonal summer brew -- Vineyard Summer Ale, is made with Saaz hops and premium Pilsner malt with Bartlett pear aromatics. Available year round is the flagship amber ale, Martha’s Vineyard Ale, made with premium English malt and the finest English and American hops. It has a dark honey hue, smooth caramel flavor and a seductive floral aroma. Both craft beers will be available in 6-packs and kegs. Additional seasonal beers will be introduced throughout the year.  ABV on Martha's Vineyard Ale is 5.3% and Summer Ale is 4.5%.

The new brew is the dream and creation of Jonathan Blum, a longtime seasonal resident of Martha’s Vineyard who enlisted the help of Culinary Institute of America grad and former brewmaster for the much-acclaimed Goose Island beer, Jared Rouben.

“I’ve been going around to local restaurateurs and bar owners on the island giving them tastes of Bad Martha and the feedback’s been great,” says Rouben. “The clean pilsner malt flavor mixed with the pear aromatics in the Summer Ale are a perfect match for a sunny beach day on the island.”

Bad Martha founder Blum created the beer not only because of his love for Martha’s Vineyard and craft beer, but because he wanted to create and champion a business model that is socially responsible.

“There is a great need to address hunger relief in our community,” says Blum. “One in five people run the risk of going to bed hungry every night and Bad Martha was created in part to help feed our neighbors in need. Along with making a great beer, we’ll be operating our company with other socially conscious business practices. Community comes first and Bad Martha stands for that.”

Both Vineyard Ale and Summer Ale are brewed with real Martha’s Vineyard grape leaves so a piece of the island’s soul is infused in every bottle. When Blum first approached Rouben with the request to put authentic grape leaves in the brews, the brewmaster hesitated, as no one had ever worked with grape leaves in beer. Blum persisted, confident they could incorporate the island’s namesake plant into the recipe.  The resulting liquid came out exactly as Rouben intended, thus creating delicious craft beers and the first and only beer whose list of premium ingredients includes Martha’s Vineyard grape leaves. 

‪Bad Martha is exclusively available on Martha’s Vineyard starting late May 2013 and the company plans to extend distribution throughout the country later this year.  Bad Martha will currently be sold in the following establishments: Oak Bluffs - Nancy’s, Fishbone, Farm Neck; Edgartown – Alchemy, The Wharf, Edgartown Meat and Fish. L Knife and Sons, Kingston, MA, is Bad Martha’s distributor. The Island Food Pantry has been identified as the on-island charity to receive a portion of profits from each and every product sale.  Other hunger relief charities will be selected in local markets once distribution extends beyond Martha's Vineyard.

The “lore of Bad Martha” is told on her packaging and website www.badmarthabeer.com (launching mid-June).

About Us:

Bad Martha beer is brewed by Bad Martha Brewing Company, a new island-based venture owned by Jonathan Blum, a 20+ year seasonal resident of the island and Peter Rosbeck, a long-time island resident. Blum’s plan for Bad Martha is to not only create an excellent craft beer, but also a business centered around socially responsible practices. 

Product Mission: 

To make and sell the finest quality handcrafted beers made by caring employees who share a commitment to incorporate wholesome, fresh ingredients while promoting business practices that respect the community.

Social Mission: 

To operate the Company in a socially responsible way, by first sharing a portion of beverage profits with local hunger relief charities and employees before rewarding its investors. 

Economic Mission: 

To aggressively grow sales and profits to achieve a triple bottom line - one that will financially benefit community charities, reward employees and maximize shareholder return. 

Company Motto: Get Bad.  Do Good.  Drink Responsibly.

Visit Facebook.com/BadMarthaBeer, Twitter.com/BadMarthaBeer or the company’s website BadMarthaBeer.com.