Funk Estate brews up cash for Youthline
With Youthline’s funds running dry, a couple of lads have brewed up a drop of hops to make a difference.
The boys from Funk Estate brewery in Grey Lynn decided they wanted to support a charity and what better way than crafting a new beer.
Smooth Hoperator is a speciality brewed India Pale Ale which has been created as a fundraiser with all profits benefiting the youth development organisation.
Shiego Takagi, Dylan Shearer and Jordon Evison worked with other brewers around New Zealand.
‘‘This project is all about giving back and having fun while doing it,’’ Takagi says.
In May, Youthline’s Health Service faced closure as it needed $50,000 to continue running.
The service is a free central Auckland clinic offering primary healthcare to communities in need, including those from lowsocio-economic areas, the homeless, Maori and Pacific Island youth.
An Auckland philanthropist donated $20,000 which has kept the clinic afloat.
However it still needs continued funding, chief executive Stephen Bell says.
‘‘The health clinic is just about running and will pause over Christmas and we will revisit how we do it because we can’t sustain it,’’ Bell says.
Bell says Youthline is appreciative of the Funk Estate project.
‘‘The young people involved are thinking creatively about their future and the community and that aligns with us.
‘‘It’s a way we can build a culture around alcohol as part of our world that’s not a problem,’’ Bell says.
Earlier this year, Funk Estate took over the Governor Beer site in Grey Lynn.
‘‘I like the amount of freedom there is in beer brewing. It’s creative, the fact I get to experiment makes this industry incredibly attractive to me,’’ Takagi says.
Smooth Hoperator is no exception to Takagi’s experimentation and collaboration.
Youthline runs on money raised and public donations, with 10 per cent funding from the Government.
Youthline needs $800,000 every year to keep its services afloat and Bell says there’s always a shortfall.
The limited edition beer is available on tap at various bars across Auckland.