The first truck hauling Arizona craft beer for distribution to New Mexico left Mother Road Brewing Company on March 18 and turned onto Route 66 toward the Land of Enchantment. The local Flagstaff brewer, located on a “lost section” of Route 66, is the first Arizona brewery to distribute to the New Mexico market.
“Since the beginning, our number one goal has been to distribute across all Route 66 states from Chicago to L.A.,” said Michael Marquess, who along with his wife, Alissa Marquess, are the founders and managing partners of the thriving business. The brewery and tap room are located in Flagstaff’s south side on Mikes Pike, the original alignment of U.S. Highway 66. The brewery is named after John Steinbeck’s referral to the infamous highway, the Mother Road, in the author’s book, “Grapes of Wrath.”
“We’d like to achieve that goal within the next 10 years, if not sooner,” said Marquess. “We’re now in two of eight states – 25 percent of our goal.” Mother Road partnered with Premier Distributing Company of Albuquerque to launch the Flagstaff beers and ales statewide in New Mexico.
When the Premier truck heading to New Mexico left the building, it reminded Marquess of a comment made by another truck driver back in 2011. The brewer had signed on with their original distributor in Arizona and the trucker was picking up product to do the initial warehouse stock.
“This will be the largest order you’ll ever get,” the driver had prophesied. That 2011 order was only 30 cases and 20 kegs. Last month, the Premier truck left the building with 420 cases and 50-plus kegs of Mother Road’s Lost Highway Black IPA, Roadside American Pale, Gold Road Kölsch Style Ale and seasonal offerings. FBN
By Stacey Wittig
Mother Road Brewing Company
7 South Mikes Pike, Flagstaff
www.motherroadbeer.com
928-774-9139
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