Mother Road Tower Station IPA
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Tasting Notes
Tower Station IPA leads with assertive citrus and pine resin on the nose, with a touch of tropical fruit underneath. The flavor follows through with grapefruit pith and a moderate malt backbone that keeps the bitterness grounded rather than harsh. Body sits in the medium range, substantial enough to carry the hop load without feeling heavy. The finish is dry and moderately bitter, lingering with a clean resinous note.
About the Brewery
Mother Road Brewing is based in Flagstaff, Arizona, founded in 2011 and named after the historic Route 66 that runs through the city. They've built a strong regional reputation in the Arizona craft beer scene, with Tower Station IPA as their flagship and best-known beer. Their lineup spans a range of styles but leans heavily on hop-forward ales, and they operate a taproom in Flagstaff that draws both locals and travelers passing through.
Food Pairings
The resinous bitterness and citrus character here work well with grilled chicken tacos, where lime and char echo the hop profile. A sharp aged cheddar holds its own against the bitterness and brings out the malt backbone. Spicy Thai noodle dishes benefit from the beer's dryness cutting through rich peanut sauce. Burgers with caramelized onions pair naturally because the sweetness of the onions softens the hop bite while the malt ties them together.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by prominent hop bitterness, aroma, and flavor derived from American hop varieties — typically showcasing citrus, pine, or tropical fruit notes — balanced against a supportive but secondary malt character. The style emerged from the broader IPA tradition but was distinctly shaped by American craft brewers in the 1980s and 1990s who leaned into the boldness of domestic and Pacific Northwest hops. ABV generally runs from around 6% to 7.5%, putting this beer squarely in the middle of the range. It differs from a Double IPA in restraint — the malt and bitterness are assertive but not overwhelming — and from English IPA in its drier finish and more aggressive, fruit-forward hop character.