Frame went up on post and beam building Monday.
Timothy Johnson

On Tap, Barn Raising IPA: Bad Martha's Brewery Is Underway

Remy Tumin
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - 12:21pm

Print
13 Comments

Construction got under way this week on a post and beam frame that will house the new Bad Martha’s microbrewery on Upper Main street in Edgartown this coming summer.

Builders from Riehl’s Construction, an Amish carpentry company based in Leola, Pa. that specializes in recreating barns, arrived over the weekend to piece together the hand cut beams. A barn raising began on Monday as the frame went up.

The 1,900-square-foot building on the Donaroma’s Nursery property in Edgartown will include a bar, brewing area, merchandise, outside seating and porch. Part of a former greenhouse on the property has been removed.

The beer company was started last spring by summer resident Jonathan Blum and Island real estate developer Peter Rosbeck. The company currently brews three types of beer in Ipswich.

In addition to the carpentry crew from Pennsylvania, on hand Monday were Brent Brown, project coordinator at Rosbeck Builders, and brewmaster Jim Carleton. The brewery plans to make 10 beers, some with local ingredients.

“We’re looking to be at the heart of the local community and support local businesses and local farms,” Mr. Carleton said.

View a time lapse of the barn raising.

Comments (13)

Eagle

So, Jim Carleton, you want to "support local businesses" but you outsource the construction of your building to a crew from PA? The Vineyard has some of the best carpenters and builders in the country, so you can say whatever you want about supporting the community, but your actions certainly tell a different story.

April 1, 2014 - 7:12pm

Smarty pants, Edgartown

If the local carpenters weren't charging ridiculous rates they would get more work. I believe the local trades men have the same problem with the foreign workers. Island trades men have been charging way to much for far too long. Time to realign the rates or more of this same situation will continue. I don't like the situation as I understand the costs of living on the island, it's just reality.

April 2, 2014 - 9:07am

Eagle

I agree that the economic issues here are a difficult situation, and an unfortunate one at that. My comment was meant to point out the disparity between the owner's comments and his actions. Its fine to hire whoever you would like, but don't claim you are focused on supporting the community when your first move as a business owner is to outsource work, that is just plain sleazy.

April 2, 2014 - 10:39am

graham, edgartown

incredibly disappointed in both papers for printing pictures of the Amish. shame.

April 2, 2014 - 7:55am

John Gault, Oak Bluffs

Did I miss that this was NOT put through the same process as the Oak Bluffs Bowling Alley? And if NOT why NOT? You can not tell anyone seeing this going up that you are going to have a BIG traffic and town impact? Just my opinion but I think this was not passed by the town of Edgartown because of who's property its on.

April 2, 2014 - 5:07pm

wait wa?

So the beer is not brewed here, it's in Ipswich, and the builders are not from here? Yet they are looking to be the heart of the local community and local business? Not off to a great start there allstar!

April 2, 2014 - 5:32pm

dantheman

Exactly! They are giving the illusion that the beer is brewed here, unlike the Offshore Ale and just using the Martha's Vineyard name.

April 2, 2014 - 7:47pm

Christine Powers, Waltham

What effect will this have on Donaroma's Nursery and its greenhouses? Are they downsizing to make room for the brewery, and are they laying off any employees?

April 3, 2014 - 2:14am

Donaroma's, edg

No and No

April 3, 2014 - 11:37pm

Jim Carleton, Edgartown

Thanks for your input. The builder is actually local, as are all the tradesmen for electrical, plumbing, landscaping, roofing, rough work on the construction site, interior construction, and purchase of interior materials, etc. The company that cut the barn timber and erected it is the same company that built the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. We'll make every effort to use local ingredients in the beer that will be brewed in the new Farmer's Brewery, and the first 10 percent of our beer sales profits will go to the Island Food Pantry. The spent grain will be donated to local farmers, and we plan to promote every restaurant, bar and package store on the island that sells our beer by sending our Farmer's Brewery patrons to them to purchase our products. While three of our beers are contract brewed in Ipswich because they have greater capacity than we do here, we'll be producing at least seven or ten beers on the island that can only be purchased at the Farmer's Brewery. We look forward to serving the community in the years ahead.

April 3, 2014 - 12:19pm

Bane McNultey, Edgartown

I appreciate the gesture of offering 10% of sales profits to the Food Pantry, however as a business owner of over thirty years I know most businesses do not show any profit for many many years, if ever. I hope you meant to say 10% of your sales, if that is the case I tip my hat, otherwise it just seems like a publicity stunt.

April 3, 2014 - 7:25pm

Jonathan Blum, edgartown

Bane, while we have not yet shown a profit, we already made our first donation to the Island Food Pantry last year. We're committed to continue to do that until we do make a profit, and then we will donate the first 10% of our beer profits to them. I am unaware of many other businesses giving to charity first - most first take a profit and then consider a donation. We're actually committed to giving to charity first and then if there's anything left, putting it into the business by rewarding our employees and then the partners. So it's a unique model, and hopefully will be viewed as a positive commitment to the community. Please come visit our brewery once it opens in June.

April 4, 2014 - 11:02am

Adam M, Newton, MA

I just want to say as someone who loves MV and will be walking 10 minutes to the brewery from their wife's parent's house in Edgartown that I am PUMPED to go here and will support you (too much)!!! I'm only sad it won't be open for Memorial Day!! The negative comments here are pretty insane and I love that you've taken the time to concisely show how committed the brewery is to the island. Best of luck!!!

April 28, 2014 - 5:04pm

Comments

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

Comment policy »

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Subscribe or become a Friend of the Vineyard Gazette and receive our free newsletters and free and discounted tickets to Gazette events along with our award-winning news and photography.

Directory

Sections

Towns

On Tap, Barn Raising IPA: Bad Martha's Brewery Is Underway

Comments (13)

Comments

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Directory

Sections

Towns

Search form

On Tap, Barn Raising IPA: Bad Martha's Brewery Is Underway

Comments (13)

Comments

Add a comment

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS