The Indies, now ten years young, is an annual celebration of the best of the best independent craft beers as well as the people who serve and support our industry. In 2024, the Awards were held in Perth alongside the WA Beer & Brewing Conference. Nearly 50 judges from Australia and New Zealand evaluated 1,028 beers, with a total of 151 beers being awarded gold medals. An incredible 87% of all beers entered receiving a medal, which demonstrates the exceptional quality of indie beer around the country.
Boundary Island was awarded Champion Modern IPA, proudly sponsored by HPA. The WA brewery was born from two Mandurah families who love great beer, good food and a warm atmosphere summer or winter. We got in touch with Head Brewer Dylan Kelly to congratulate the team and ask a few questions about their beers and the heart of their brewery.
Q: Congrats on your recent success at the 2024 Indies Awards. As proud sponsors of your trophy for Champion Modern IPA, can you tell us a bit about the story behind Deckie?
A: Deckie is one of the core beers we launched with. It was always intended to be a more traditional style IPA, but as I was influenced by a number of new IPAs using modern hops, it slowly morphed into that. About a year ago it was actually on the chopping block because I wasn’t happy with it. Deckie today barely resembles that beer.
Q: You also won Champion Independent Small Brewery and Champion Modern Pale Ale for your Estuary XPA. What hops are behind the bright aromatics of lime, melon and spearmint in this beer?
A: This is another combo of modern hops – Citra, Strata and Nelson Sauvin. We’ve also cycled in a couple other Aussie and NZ hops over time.
Q: Mandurah locals and tourists have been enjoying your waterfront brewpub since 2022, but you appeared on even more beer lovers radars recently after winning the Gary Sheppard Memorial Trophy for Best New Exhibitor at the 2023 Australian International Beer Awards followed by the equivalent trophy at the 2023 Perth Royal Beer Awards. Have you seen a boost in trade on the back of these awards?
A: It’s hard to gauge whether it makes a difference in trade. The venue has been flat out since we opened. The trophies are obviously good recognition within the industry and help to let the public know that we are making some good beer.
Q: Industry awards are a great opportunity to see how your beers compare to those of your fellow brewers. Where does your drive to benchmark, evolve and innovate your beers come from?
A: As the only brewer here for the first couple years, all the responsibility was on me to make sure customers are having a good experience. Any bad beer falls 100% on me. I’m also very self-critical when it comes to our beers, so I try to recognise any slip ups and continuously improve. None of the recipes are set in stone, I’m always working to make them better.
Q: The heart of your brewery is the beautiful Esmerelda. What’s her story?
A: We found her abandoned and gave her a new lease on life as the play area for kids. A deserted cray boat, she was tugged down the swan river, across the ocean and into the Mandurah Marina where we lifter her by two cranes and placed her where she now sits proudly at the entrance to Boundary.
Q: You can get to the brewery by boat, car, bus, foot or bike. What’s your favourite way to get to work?
A: I wish I had a boat to come by. Usually by car, but I have definitely done some cycling and running.
