Women-led and proudly local,
brewing Dubbo’s stories one beer at a time.
Watch full interview:
Big Ideas, Regional Roots. Devils Hollow, a Women Led Business in the Dubbo Region
When you think brewery and beer, it’s not usually two women that first come to mind, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Devil’s Hollow Brewery.
Co-owners and operators Ceridwyn Usback and Melissa Knaggs are just a couple of girls, running a brewery, doing it their own way.
What began as a spark of inspiration during a trip to South Africa among old school friends has grown into something truly special. In July 2019, they teamed up with a group of hospitality enthusiasts and took the plunge, launching Dubbo’s first craft brewery.
Since then, they’ve weathered dust storms, drought, COVID lockdowns, a mouse plague, rising interest rates, and the pressures of cost-of-living - but their spirits haven’t been dampened.
If anything, those challenges have only made them stronger.
“We are still standing, still fighting and most importantly, still doing things our way,” Ceridwyn said.
Located on the edge of Dubbo, Devil’s Hollow Brewery is designed to be a space that feels welcoming to everyone.
“We want our venue to be a place where you can bring your mum for lunch, share a drink with your best friend, or close a deal with a business associate.
“We want a place that focuses on good beer, great food and even better company. We are a fully licenced venue. We could have poker machines, we could have betting facilities, but we want to do things our way because that’s who we are,” Ceridwyn said.
The team behind the brewery includes super brewer Matt, social club gurus Bazza and Adel, as well as a team of dedicated staff all of whom share the same passion for craft, community, and creativity.
Day to day, the formula is simple: focus on craftsmanship, empower the team, deliver top-notch service, and have a lot of fun doing it.
What makes Devil’s Hollow truly unique is its deep connection to the Dubbo region.
Characters like Flash Kate, a grog-slinging gangster, and Nosey Bob, a notorious hangman from the Old Dubbo Gaol, feature prominently.
Even the name “Devil’s Hollow” is a nod to a mysterious bend in the Wambuul (Macquarie) River, rich with local legend.
“Devil’s Hollow Brewery draws heavily from local folklore and history with beers and branding inspired by what we see right here in the Dubbo Region.”
“Our storytelling is deeply rooted in the identity of the Dubbo region as we celebrate unlikely and unexpected stories from the area.
“It connects our patrons to our heritage in a fun and engaging way as well as offering visitors a deeper cultural experience and turns the brewery into a living museum of Dubbo’s folklore.”
Ceridwyn and Melissa also keep the environment and community at the heart of their business.
Living in a city adjacent to a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), they’ve embraced sustainability with open arms.
The brewery is solar powered with a 90Kw system, sends spent grains and hops to local farmers, and repurposes food and coffee waste for chooks and mulch.
Devil’s Hollow Brewery is more than a business - it’s a place where stories are brewed, resilience is celebrated, and the future is crafted one beer at a time.
Connect with the Team, read more on the brewery or join the fun and book a table: Devil's Hollow Brewery | Dubbo's craft beer – Devils Hollow Brewery
Discover more stories from our region: regionontherise.com.au