Media release: Briny brew wins the inaugural Rare Beer Challenge award

The Pāua Man Porter, a robust 8.4% Baltic Porter brewed with the addition of fresh pāua, has won the first ever Rare Beer Challenge. Created by Fortune Favours brewers who took inspiration from the unusual ingredient, this beer beat ten other competitors to take first prize.

The inaugural Rare Beer Challenge took place on Friday 26 February to raise awareness of the 300,000 New Zealanders living with a rare disorder for Rare Disease Day 2021.

"There were two parts to the judging process - the quality, uniqueness or rarity of the beer based on the ingredients used or brewing techniques, and the story the brewer told to support raising awareness of rare disorders. Those that did well scored well on both parts,” says Head Judge Stephanie Coutts of Craft Beer College.

“The Pāua Man Porter was highly drinkable and included an uncommon ingredient, plus the brewery team also dropped their fermenter into Oriental Bay. The story was told in an impressive Sea Shanty, and included the beer getting "arrested" by the Police. The shanty also told a story about Rare Disorders NZ," says Stephanie.

“We are chuffed to have won the inaugural Rare Beer Challenge!  It was a great opportunity for our team to get creative and have some fun whilst also raising money and awareness for Rare Disorders NZ ,” says Shannon Thorpe, founder of Fortune Favours brewery.

These eleven rare brews were judged by a prestigious judging panel which also included Hannah White from 8 Wired, journalist Patrick Gower and Chair of RDNZ James McGoram.

Fortune Favours won a unique trophy, an engraved hat stand and personalised hat designed by Hill’s Hats. A donation from each pint purchased goes to Rare Disorders NZ, the connector hub and collective voice of the rare disorder community.

There are more than 6,000 known rare disorders which collectively affect around 300,000 New Zealanders – more than those diagnosed with diabetes.

“Congratulations to Fortune Favours for this well-deserved win,” says Rare Disorders NZ CE Lisa Foster. “Beer is a great way to bring people together to share the fact that Rare is Everywhere. And rare can affect anyone's family, at any time.”

Rare Disease Day takes place annually on the last day of February, and is a global day of recognition for this community. Worldwide, 300 million people are affected by a rare disease.

The Rare Beer Challenge awards went to:

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People’s Choice Award - Lemon Meringue Pie (Choice Bros Brewing)

Breweries involved: Whistling Sisters; Choice Bros; Heyday Beer Co; Parrotdog; Baylands Brewery; Graphic Brewing; Mean Doses; Waitoa Beer; Boneface Brewing Co; Abandoned Brewery; Fortune Favours