ビール醸造のプロも愛読！ホップの魅力がわかる『THE NEW IPA』
歴史好き必見！『ビール大全』で深掘り
『ビールのつくりかた大事典』で醸造プロセスを学ぼう
🍺 If you try just one: Tower Station IPA (American IPA, ABV 7.3%) — Arizona’s #1 selling IPA. BeerAdvocate score 93, Untappd 3.9/5 (46,000+ ratings). A copper-orange body with tangerine and pineapple aromas from Citra hops — a pint that embodies Route 66.
- 🚗 A Brewery Draped in the Spirit of Route 66
- 📋 Basic Information
- 🏭 History and Brewing Philosophy of Mother Road Brewing
- 🍻 Signature Beers
- 🇯🇵 How to Get It in Japan (Nagano Trading)
- 🎤 Voices from the Brewers
- 🏅 Awards and Media Recognition
- 🌐 Online Reviews and Ratings
- 🏙️ Flagstaff x Route 66 — Beer in the Context of Travel
- 🛒 Ordering and Purchasing Guide
- 🏆 Overall Rating
- 📍 Access Map
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1. What is Mother Road Brewing’s most popular beer?
- Q2. Can you buy Mother Road Brewing beer in Japan?
- Q3. Are children and pets allowed in the taproom?
- Q4. What is the origin of the name “Mother Road”?
- Q5. What awards has Mother Road Brewing won?
- Q6. Are there other breweries in Flagstaff besides Mother Road?
- Q7. What is Off Road Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale?
- 📚 References
- ⚠️ Disclaimer
🚗 A Brewery Draped in the Spirit of Route 66
In the dry Arizona air, Route 66 cuts through Flagstaff at an elevation of 2,100 meters. Along this legendary highway that John Steinbeck called the “Mother Road” in The Grapes of Wrath, a taproom converted from a 1920s industrial laundry building stands quietly.
Hello! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. Today I’m introducing Mother Road Brewing Company in Flagstaff, Arizona. Starting in 2011 with just one beer and three founding members, this brewery has grown to produce Arizona’s #1 IPA, Tower Station.
2025年6月にはナガノトレーディングが新規取扱いを開始し、日本でもついにMother Roadのビールが飲めるようになりました。Tribute to Route 66を込めた「人生を冒険のように楽しむためのクラフトビール」——その魅力を徹底解説します。
Note: The author has not visited Mother Road Brewing Company in person. This article is based on web research and official sources.
📋 Basic Information
Specialty: West Coast IPA, American Lager, fusion of Route 66 culture and craft beer
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | 7 S Mikes Pike, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA |
| 🚗 Access | Flagstaff Downtown, along old Route 66 (inside Milum Building) |
| 🕐 Hours | Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| 📞 Phone | (928) 774-9139 |
| 🌐 Official Website | motherroadbeer.com |
| 🍺 Founded | 2011年（Michael & Alissa Marquess、Urs Riner） |
| 🏷️ Styles | American IPA / Hazy IPA / Lager / Barley Wine |
| 📱 Untappd | @motherroadbeer |
“Mother Road” is the nickname John Steinbeck gave to Route 66 in The Grapes of Wrath! The taproom, converted from a 1920s laundry building, is Route 66 history itself!
🏭 History and Brewing Philosophy of Mother Road Brewing
An Adventure That Began in the Kitchen
Mother Road Brewingの物語は、共同Founded者でありCEOのMichael Marquessのキッチンから始まりました。不動産鑑定業の傍ら自家醸造を学び始めたMichaelは、妻のAlissaとともにクラフトビール、旅、アリゾナ、そして人生を楽しむことへの情熱を一つのブルワリーに注ぎ込みました。
2011年、フラッグスタッフのサウスサイドに位置するMilumビル（1920年代に建てられた商業用ランドリー施設）を改装し、ビール1種類、スタッフ3人でブルワリーをオープン。Founded資金の一部は、Michaelの祖母から年利7%で借りた50,000ドルでした（当時の一般的な金利は0.5%）。
Head brewer Urs Riner graduated from Northern Arizona University and completed UC Davis’s brewing program. His official title is “Yeast Whisperer”. He uses Munich malt in every beer, cherishing its biscuit-like flavor.
Tribute to Route 66
The brewery name “Mother Road” comes from the nickname John Steinbeck gave to U.S. Highway 66 in his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. Mikes Pike, where the taproom stands, is the original alignment of Route 66 itself, before the route was moved to the other side of the railroad tracks in the 1930s.
This dedication is also reflected in their label designs. Classic cars driving through desert landscapes, motels along the route — the artwork evoking American nostalgia was designed by Randy Mosher, a beer celebrity and author of Tasting Beer.
Commitment to Sustainability
In 2021, Mother Road introduced a CO2 recapture system that captures CO2 emitted during the brewing process and reinjects it directly into the beer. In 2022, they received the inaugural “Green Business of the Year Award” from the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. Their commitment to creating enduring flavors rather than chasing trends extends to their environmental stewardship as well.
🍻 Signature Beers
Here are five standout beers from Mother Road Brewing’s lineup.
1. Tower Station IPA — Arizona’s #1 IPA
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Styles | American IPA |
| ABV | 7.3% |
| IBU | 70 |
| Untappd | 3.9/5（46,000+評価） |
| BeerAdvocate | 93点（282レビュー） |
Named after a hospitality spot that opened along Route 66 in 1936, Tower Station made BeerAdvocate’s “Top Rated American IPAs” list just six months after its 2015 release, earning the title of Arizona’s best-selling IPA.
A copper-orange body with a pristine white head. Tangerine and pineapple aromas from Citra hops, balanced by a delicate grain bill of Pilsner and Pale malt, create a perfect harmony with grapefruit peel and pine dank hop flavors. The distinctive 16-ounce “convertible can” features a unique design where the top can be completely removed to enjoy it as an aluminum pint glass.
PHOENIX magazine called it “Arizona’s most revered IPA, and for good reason — it’s delicious and not dominated by bitterness.”
2. Limited Visibility — A Hazy IPA Powerhouse
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Styles | New England / Hazy IPA |
| ABV | 7.2% |
| IBU | 62 |
| Untappd | 3.9/5（7,000+評価） |
| BeerAdvocate | 90点 |
Using Motueka, Cashmere, and Strata hops with double dry hopping, this Hazy IPA bursts with citrus peel, tropical fruit, and stone fruit aromas from its straw-colored body. Papaya and grapefruit flavors are distinctive, showcasing a juicy approach that contrasts beautifully with Tower Station.
3. Turbo Tower Station — The Evolution of Tower Station
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Styles | Imperial / Double IPA |
| ABV | 9.1% |
| ホップ | Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado |
| Untappd | 3.9/5（1,787評価） |
The imperial version of flagship Tower Station. A 9.1% Double IPA finished with Mosaic, Citra, and El Dorado hops plus mango. Rich flavors of grapefruit peel, pine, and tropical fruit invite Tower Station fans into even deeper territory. Released as the “Tower Trio” — three Tower Station series beers (Original, Turbo, and Roadside Grove) in 19.2oz cans.
4. Daily Driver — A Juicy Pale Ale for Everyday
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Styles | American Pale Ale（Juicy Pale Ale） |
| ABV | 4.8% |
| Untappd | 3.6/5 |
A juicy pale ale bursting with hop aromas of lime, melon, grapefruit, and tropical notes. At ABV 4.8%, it’s light and refreshing — perfect for relaxing under Flagstaff’s sunshine. True to its name, this is a beer you’ll want to drink daily.
5. Sunday Drive — The New Standard in American Lager
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Styles | American Lager |
| ABV | 4.3% |
| IBU | 15 |
| Untappd | 3.6/5（2,232評価） |
An American Lager featuring lightly toasted malt, cereal grain, and a subtle honey sweetness. With a relaxed drinking experience like a Sunday drive, this is an excellent gateway beer for craft beer newcomers.
Tower Station being Arizona’s #1 selling IPA is incredible! And making BeerAdvocate’s “Top Rated American IPAs” list just six months after release shows serious quality. Now that it’s available in Japan too, I definitely want to try it!
🇯🇵 How to Get It in Japan (Nagano Trading)
2025年6月、Nagano Trading began handling Mother Road Brewing. Nagano Trading is a well-known importer of popular American breweries including Evil Twin Brewing、Foam Brewers、Trillium Brewing.
Mother Road beers are distributed to craft beer specialty shops nationwide through Nagano Trading’s wholesale EC site “NTC Wholesale Site.” Available at stores including Antenna America (Tokyo, Yaesu) and other authorized retailers.
Mother Road’s beers pursue enduring flavors rather than trends — enjoy them in Japan along with their desert landscape labels.
🎤 Voices from the Brewers
Mother Road BrewingのFounded者であるMichael Marquessは、複数のインタビューで醸造への情熱を語っています。
“I have never lost my love of the ‘magic’ that occurs between four ingredients and creating something to enjoy with family and friends in two weeks.”
— Michael Marquess, CEO & Co-Founder, Mother Road Brewing Company（The Old Growler インタビュー）
(The “magic” that occurs between four ingredients — creating something to enjoy with family and friends in two weeks — I have never lost that love)
“As if a brewer determines what becomes a flagship! That is decided by the guest and consumer.”
— Michael Marquess, CEO & Co-Founder, Mother Road Brewing Company（The Old Growler インタビュー）
(It’s not the brewer who determines what becomes a flagship! That is decided by the guest and consumer)
また、Founded時の苦労についてもオープンに語っています。
“I borrowed $50,000 from my grandmother at 7% (yes, prevailing rates in 2010 were next to 0.5%) because she knew the risk.”
— Michael Marquess, CEO & Co-Founder（The Old Growler インタビュー）
(I borrowed $50,000 from my grandmother at 7% — when prevailing rates were 0.5% — because she understood the risk)
Starting a brewery with a loan from grandma really shows family bonds! The expression “the magic of four ingredients” is beautiful too 🐾
🏅 Awards and Media Recognition
Here are Mother Road Brewing’s major awards and media features (as of March 2026, based on verified information only).
| Year | Competition / Media | Award Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Great American Beer Festival (GABF) | Tower Station IPA — Gold Medal |
| — | World Beer Championships (BTI) | 4th Anniversary Ale — 95点 Gold Medal (Barley Wine category) |
| 2016 | BeerAdvocate Top Rated American IPAs | Tower Station IPA — Ranked in top 100 within 6 months of release |
| 2022 | Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce | Inaugural “Green Business of the Year Award” |
| 2022 | Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) | Award of Distinction |
補足: GABFOfficial Website、World Beer CupOfficial Website、European Beer StarOfficial Websiteで追加受賞歴を確認しましたが、上記以外の受賞情報は確認できませんでした（2026年3月時点）。US Open Beer Championship、Can Can Awards、FoBABでの受賞歴も確認されていません。
🌐 Online Reviews and Ratings
| Review Site | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Untappd | 3.9/5 | Tower Station IPA（46,000+評価）、Limited Visibility（7,000+評価） both rated 3.9 |
| BeerAdvocate | 3.91/5（58評価） | Tower Station IPA 93点、Limited Visibility 90点。The brewery overall also rates highly |
| TripAdvisor | 4.6/5 | Ranked #10 of 277 restaurants in Flagstaff. Praised as “a wonderful beer garden along Route 66” |
| Yelp | 599枚の写真 / 534レビュー | Friendly staff, pet-friendly patio, and food partner Satchmo’s tacos are highly praised |
| Google Maps | 高評価 | “Must-visit brewery in Flagstaff” “Best pet-friendly patio”（Wanderlog via） |
Mother Road Brewing has earned consistently high ratings across all platforms. Being in Flagstaff’s top 10 on TripAdvisor demonstrates strong support from tourists. The taproom is family-friendly with a spacious patio perfect for pet owners. Food is provided through a partnership with Satchmo’s, with shaved chicken tacos and blackened fish tacos being popular choices.
🏙️ Flagstaff x Route 66 — Beer in the Context of Travel
Flagstaff is a highland city at approximately 2,100 meters elevation, known as the gateway to Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors come year-round as a summer retreat and winter ski resort. Above all, it is an iconic symbol of American road culture as a city along Route 66.
Mother Road Brewing’s taproom is located in the historic Milum Building along old Route 66. Enjoying beer amid the brick ambiance of 1920s industrial architecture is truly a fusion of “travel and beer.” For travelers driving Route 66, it’s a stop not to be missed.
In a playful touch unique to a Route 66 brewery, the fermentation tanks are named after classic car manufacturers like Hudson, Auburn, and Dymaxion.
The UC Davis brewing program is one of the world’s top brewing education institutions! Urs Riner, who completed that program, is called the “Yeast Whisperer” for his deep expertise in yeast management. His commitment to using Munich malt in every beer is part of his philosophy!
🛒 Ordering and Purchasing Guide
Purchasing in Japan
- Nagano Trading authorized stores: 公式アナウンス. Available at Antenna America (Tokyo, Yaesu) and other stores
- Online shopping: Distributed to craft beer specialty shops nationwide via Nagano Trading’s wholesale EC site “NTC Wholesale Site”
Purchasing Locally (Arizona)
- Taproom: 7 S Mikes Pike, Flagstaff (Daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM）
- オンラインショップ: shop.motherroadbeer.com(merchandise and apparel also available)
- Retail stores: Widely available at Arizona liquor stores including Total Wine & More, BevMo!, Flagstaff Liquor
Ordering Phrases at the Taproom
| Situation | English Phrase | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Order a beer | “Can I get a Tower Station IPA, please?” | Tower Station IPA, please |
| Tasting | “Could I try a flight of your IPAs?” | Could I try a flight of your IPAs? |
| Ask for recommendation | “What’s your most popular beer right now?” | What’s your most popular beer right now? |
| Takeout | “Do you have any cans to go?” | Do you have any cans to go? |
| Use the patio | “Is the patio open? I have a dog with me.” | Is the patio open? I have a dog with me. |
I love that the patio is pet-friendly! I want to go there too 🐾 The tacos from Satchmo’s sound delicious!
🏆 Overall Rating
| Category | Score | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 🍺 Beer Quality | ★★★★★ | Tower Station IPA（BA93点）、Limited Visibility（BA90点）、GABFGold Medal |
| 🏠 Taproom Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ | 1920s Milum Building, along old Route 66。TripAdvisor 4.6/5 |
| 🌎 Location | ★★★★★ | Route 66 x Flagstaff as gateway to Grand Canyon |
| 🍽️ Food | ★★★★☆ | Satchmo’s partnership. Tacos and tots are popular |
| 🇯🇵 Japan Availability | ★★★☆☆ | Nagano Trading distribution started (June 2025). Expanding availability expected |
📍 Access Map
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is Mother Road Brewing’s most popular beer?
A. Tower Station IPAです。アリゾナ州で最も売れているIPAで、BeerAdvocateスコア93点、Untappd 3.9/5（46,000+評価）を獲得。2016年にはGABFGold Medalも受賞しています。Citraホップ由来のタンジェリンとパイナップルのアロマが特徴の、バランスの取れたAmerican IPAです。
Q2. Can you buy Mother Road Brewing beer in Japan?
A. はい。2025年6月よりナガノトレーディングが新規取扱いを開始しました。アンテナアメリカ（東京・八重洲）をはじめとする全国のクラフトビール専門店で購入可能です。ナガノトレーディングのOfficial Websiteで取扱い店舗を確認できます。
Q3. Are children and pets allowed in the taproom?
A. Yes. The taproom is family-friendly, and the spacious patio allows pets. TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews praise it as “the best patio for dog owners.” Hours are daily 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Q4. What is the origin of the name “Mother Road”?
A. It comes from John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath, where he called U.S. Highway 66 (Route 66) the “Mother Road.” The taproom is located in a 1920s historic building (Milum Building) on Mikes Pike, the original alignment of Route 66.
Q5. What awards has Mother Road Brewing won?
A. 主な受賞歴として、Tower Station IPAが2016年GABFGold Medal、4th Anniversary Ale（Barley Wine）がWorld Beer Championships 95点Gold Medalを獲得しています。また、環境への取り組みが評価され、2022年にGreater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerceから初の「Green Business of the Year Award」を受賞しています。
Q6. Are there other breweries in Flagstaff besides Mother Road?
A. Yes. Flagstaff is one of Arizona’s craft beer hubs with several breweries including Flagstaff Brewing Company, Historic Brewing Company, and Lumberyard Brewing Company. Mother Road is the most well-known among them.
Q7. What is Off Road Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale?
A. 2025年12月にリリースされたMother Roadのノンアルコールビールです。クラフトBeer Qualityを保ちながらアルコールフリーを実現。Dry January（1月の禁酒月間）に合わせてリリースされました。ノンアルコール市場への参入も、Mother Roadの多角的なアプローチを示しています。
📚 References
- Mother Road Brewing Company Official Website
- Mother Road Brewing Company — Untappd
- Mother Road Brewery — BeerAdvocate
- A Chat with Michael Marquess — The Old Growler
- 12 Things You Didn’t Know About Mother Road Brewing Co. — Phoenix New Times
- Mother Road snags gold medal — CraftBeer.com
- Tower Station cracks Top Rated American IPAs list — CraftBeer.com
- Mother Road Brewing 新規取扱い — ナガノトレーディング
- Arizona Craft Beer Review: Tower Station — PHOENIX magazine
Related Brewery Articles
For those wanting to learn more about the American craft beer scene, we recommend these articles:
- Complete Guide to Evil Twin Brewing (NYC) | A World Top 10 Brewery by Denmark’s Maverick Twin
- Foam Brewers | A Top 3 Vermont Brewery with BeerAdvocate 97
- Complete Guide to Trillium Brewing Company (Boston) | RateBeer World #3 Hazy IPA Powerhouse
- Complete Guide to Other Half Brewing Co. (Brooklyn) | East Coast’s #1 DDH IPA Brewery
- What is Dank? Craft Beer Terminology Explained
- What is DDH (Double Dry Hop)? Essential Guide for IPA Lovers
⚠️ Disclaimer
The information in this article is current as of March 2026. Business hours, menus, prices, etc. are subject to change. Before visiting, please check the latest information on theOfficial Websiteで最新情報をご確認ください。ビールのABV・IBU・原材料はバッチにより変動する場合があります。日本国内での取扱い状況はナガノトレーディングのOfficial Websiteをご確認ください。
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