Indian Ocean Brewhaus & Grill

Location, location, location

Location, location, location. The Indian Ocean Brewhaus and Grill has this and a whole lot more. Perched on the Boardwalk at Mindarie Marina, you'll fall in love with its handcrafted beers, flavour-packed menu, state-of-the-art interior design, relaxed vibe and stunning views, instantly.

The 'Indi', as it's affectionately known by locals, is one of Perth's most visually-stunning venues. In just eight months, it's gained a reputation for its beers: the flagship wheat beer 'Indi White', the full-flavoured 'Indi Pilsner', the rounded 'Pale Ale', plus its selection of seasonal beers. They're all brewed on site by Master Brewer Deo Lule and if he's in, Deo will be happy to explain the Indi brewing process.

The menu lends itself well to the chilled, coastal surroundings - it's simple, fresh and expertly matched to the Indi beer range. What I love about the menu was its organisation into Sharers, Starters, Pizza, Grills and Meals, Salads, Sides and Sweets. Executive Chef Gareth Hartnell's philosophy is 'if you can't make it, don't sell it'. Nearly everything is made on the premises yet the prices aren't excessive and with the menu's flexibility, you can really opt for a humble or an ostentatious dining experience.

For starters, my official tasting partner Craig and I tackled a Sharer, the 'Hot Brew Snacks', along with the Indi Tasting Tray (six Indi beers). The snacks boasted crispy sesame toast, onion bhaji's, Italian swirls (herb-flavoured soft bread bites), samosas and pork ribs.

The bhaji's were quite spicy and superbly matched to the mellow yoghurt raita and according to Craig, the light Indi Pilsner. It was clear that each of the Hot Brew's elements were handmade using quality ingredients. We loved trying the six beers with the different bites too; it's good to have your meal become the topic of conversation whilst trying each other's favourite flavour combinations.

Craig liked the classic Indi White beer best but I loved the new Indi Calypso hibiscus-flavoured wheat beer. Its strong aroma was like sweet flowers and as it first hit my lips, it tasted like fruit juice, then like champagne and after I swallowed, like beer! I loved its surprising complexity and although it may suit 'the ladies' a bit more, grab an Indi Tasting Try and give it a go.

Next up, Gareth served one of the Indi's thin-crust Roman-style wood-fired pizzas, made with fresh homemade dough and Indi Beer yeast: the Proscuitto Parmigiano. The base, crust and toppings were perfect. Plentiful layers of shaved proscuitto, fresh Wanneroo rocket and parmesan cheese sat atop tomato and mozzarella cheese. Like a pizza should be: simple and delicious. The tables around us were covered in pizzas; it's clear they're one of the Indi's biggest draw cards.

Next came the Jambalaya, a New Orleans-style rice dish with prawns, chicken, Italian sausage, green capsicum, celery and smoked paprika. The prawns were fat, fresh and plump; the sausage melted in your mouth and the rice was very tasty with just the right amount of spice - a bit of a chilli kick that only lasted as long as the next mouthful so not to overpower the more subtle flavours. Craig and I found it fun to mix rice with a piece of chicken, then prawn, then sausage. We found ourselves swapping from to the other, which made each mouthful new.

Finally, why not retire to a comfy couch for the Indi's Sweets and Treats; they're well-crafted and again, all made on site. We devoured the Sweet Share Plate with chocolate tortellini (yes, that's correct!), Cappuccino Brulee and a frozen Tuille Biscuits. The chocolate tortellini certainly stood out with its light, soft yet crunchy-on-the-outside pastry and warm chocolate that oozed out from the centre. With ice cream, honeycomb pieces and a hot coffee, I couldn't think of a better way to get prepared for a slow stroll along the boardwalk.

A visit to the Indian Ocean Brewhaus will certainly raise the bar. The Indi is open every day and has plenty of live entertainment for the summer and for winter. Head up to Mindarie for a peek or check out their fantastic website for more information.

By Shenade Unicomb