by Stacey Wittig, Flagstaff Business News
When Michael Marquess and Urs Riner of Mother Road Brewing Company wrote their business plan, one goal was to reach out to other Flagstaff brewers to form a guild and offer a walking tour of Flagstaff breweries.
“We knew this was essential,” Marquess said. “So, when Geoff came in to recruit us for Flagstaff Ale Trail we were like, ‘Check that sucker off the list!’”
Geoff Barnard, former Grand Canyon Trust president, was back in town with a new idea that he picked up in Bend, Ore. The Flagstaff Ale Trail was born after Barnard and business partner Steele Wotkyns convinced five probable competitors to come together to offer a fun walking tour of the city.
“With the fifth brewery starting up in Flagstaff, we have enough to be a destination for beer lovers,” said Al Henes, owner of Flagstaff Brewing Company, one of Flagstaff’s iconic brewpubs. Flagstaff Brewing Company brews on premise, which was one of the requirements for being a Flagstaff Ale Trail destination.
Flagstaff Brewing Company and Mother Road Brewing Company joined Lumberyard Brewing Company, Beaver Street Brewery and Mogollon Brewing Company to form the Flagstaff Ale Trail late last year.
“It brings people into our doors from around the country and the world,” said Riner of Mother Road. Publicity for the newly born Flagstaff Ale Trail has reached as far as Germany, thanks to Wotkyns who also owns WotkynsPRplus, a public relations firm. [See the full story and photos here]
The Flagstaff Ale Trail package is available at flagstaffaletrail.com, Beaver Street Brewery, McGaugh's Flagstaff, Flagstaff Brewing Company and Lumberyard Brewing Company -- purchase it, get great discounts, enjoy the Ale Trail experience. The Grand Canyon store also recently added a free shuttle to and from hotels to downtown Flagstaff. photo by: Tom Alexander Photography
