Devenick Drinks: The cornerstone of Chapelton’s social scene

Chapelton is home to a diverse range of independent businesses, each adding to the town’s vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. From cosy cafes and salons to barbers and dog groomers, there’s always something new to discover.  

At the heart of this lively town centre, nestled within The Boxes, is Devenick Drinks – a unique craft bottle shop and fully licensed taproom offering an ever-evolving selection of locally and nationally sourced beers, ciders and spirits.

Since co-founders Andy and Bryan opened the doors in 2022, Devenick Drinks has become a cornerstone of Chapelton’s social scene, providing a welcoming space where locals and visitors alike can gather and enjoy a drink in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. More than just a place to grab a pint, it has grown into a true community hub – hosting events, supporting local causes and collaborating with fellow businesses to bring something truly special to the town.

We caught up with Andy to discuss the inspiration behind launching a craft drinks business in Chapelton and what customers can expect when visiting…

What made you choose Chapelton as the home for Devenick Drinks?

“Talk about timing – we had just turned down the opportunity to take on a retail unit in the Rosemount area of Aberdeen, when (on the very same day), I received a call from Caroline Fife telling me that a unit had become available at the Chapelton Box Park, and if we would be interested in taking it. This had come about as we’d previously enquired about exhibiting at the Chapelton Farmers Market but there was a backlog of businesses waiting to get in, so we were offered a slot in one of the pop-up units at the box park instead. We met Caroline for a chat and by the 1^st December 2022 we opened our inaugural Craft Bottle Shop in Chapelton. As the age old saying goes, the rest is history!”

How has the Chapelton community responded to The Taproom since you opened?

“Well, we started with one unit and now we have three, so I think that speaks volumes to the response we’ve received. The day we opened coincided with the Christmas lights switch on and we never stopped from the minute we opened till the minute we closed. We then decided to run a trial ‘pub night’ at the hut across the road from the box park and it was mental! We generally thought the wheels were about to fall off as we were overwhelmed by the volume of folk that turned up! It did however, show us that the community was crying out for a social space, especially as much of the community had never properly met so many of their neighbours due to the pandemic. As well as the Chapelton community, we also receive a lot of support from the nearby towns and communities such as Newtonhill, Stonehaven, Muchalls, Netherley and Portlethen.”

What do you love most about being part of the Chapelton community?

“There’s a lot of community spirit here, and we had received a very warm welcome – and we like to think it wasn’t just the booze doing the talking! We’re aware that our business model is a little different when compared to traditional village pubs but even the most avid of Tennent’s drinkers have accepted our vision and have bought into the products we offer.”

What kind of private events have you hosted, and how does The Taproom bring people together?

“We’ve hosted birthday parties, local choirs, the Chapelton 10K club and various social groups. The Taproom is more than just a place to enjoy a drink – it’s a space where the wider community, friends and family come together to share great local drinks and lively conversation. When setting up the Taproom, we believed that it should not only be about the products we served, but also about the people we serve. We wanted to create a centre point for the community – somewhere that was quirky, yet homely – somewhere you’d want to spend a significant amount of time socialising and having fun, and from the feedback and reviews we’ve received, I think it’s going alright so far…”

You’ve been hosting brunches with Brae – can you tell us more about this?

“We’re always looking to add new dynamics to the Taproom. We like to keep offering folk a reason to come out. The brunch idea was something we’d been kicking about for a good while. We had wanted to ensure it was a well-rounded experience and not just cold sausage rolls on a napkin, which is why we reached out to Jodie at Brae to support us with the food side of things. Jodie and Dale have curated the perfect pairing to complement our brunch experience. It also has the added benefit of allowing us to collaborate with local businesses, something that is very much part of the fabric of Devenick Drinks. We’ve only hosted a few brunches to date (with more scheduled throughout 2025) but the feedback has been fantastic – just check the reviews on our social media and google business pages!”

You’ve raised money for local causes – can you tell us more about this?

“It was important for us to give back to the community and customers that have supported our business from the beginning. The Chapelton Community Association was one of the first charities we donated to. Gillian Steven, a lovely regular of ours, has brought events and customers to our Taproom through the CCA and always reaches out to ensure that we’re part of any community-based events. Charlie Craig, another regular of ours, and an all-round top bloke is the founding member of the Chapelton Men’s Group – another local charity that we selected for donation. 

“As mentioned, we have a great band of loyal customers from Newtonhill and one of them, Barry McIntosh, is heavily involved with Newtonhill Football Club and he told us about flood damage and blocked pipes to the kids changing rooms, so we directed some of the donations to help them out. We’ve also supported several other charities such as the Chapelton Over 60’s Club and Chapelton of Elsick 10K. We can’t take full credit though, as the awesome Jo and Lynn from Fired Up Pizza’s, who we added to enhance our taproom experience, donate cash from the total pizza’s sold when they’re on site, and they give us the honour of directing it towards a charity of our choice. When they told us about their generosity, we decided to match their donations pound for pound, allowing the total to double and spread further.”

For someone new to Chapelton or visiting for the first time, why should they stop by The Taproom?

“We offer a welcoming ambiance and a carefully curated selection of beers on tap which invites you to explore a world of new flavours. From crisp and refreshing lagers to robust and complex IPA’s and stouts, our taproom features an ever-changing lineup of craft beers, including local favourites and limited-edition releases from renowned breweries. Folk can pull up a seat at the bar or relax in our cosy seating areas as you sip on your chosen brew and soak in the vibrant ambiance of Scotland’s smallest and quirkiest taproom. Our adjoining Craft Bottle Shop also has an extensive collection of local, national and UK wide beers, ciders and spirits to choose from – most of which you will not find on a supermarket shelf! We also have products from local coffee brewers and cocktail makers.”

To find out more about the other businesses in Chapelton, click below. https://chapeltonnewtown.co.uk/business-directory/

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