Maltstock Down Under – The Stovies

Maltstock Down Under is a not-for-profit, community-led, bring-a-bottle whisky festival set in the Tasmanian Highlands. Inspired by the cult-favourite Dutch festival Maltstock (which has been running for the past 16 years), this is a fully immersive long weekend designed for people who love whisky not just as a drink, but as a shared experience. This is a strictly an 18+ years old event.

Held at the historic Ratho Farm in Bothwell, Tasmania, Maltstock Down Under brings together whisky lovers from around the world for three unforgettable days of tasting, learning, friendship and fun — all in one of Australia’s most beautiful rural settings.

Our Participating Brands:

We’re excited to announce the first wave of sponsoring brands and distilleries joining us for Maltstock Down Under.

Partners already confirmed include Ardnamurchan/Adelphi, Belgrove Distillery, Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, Callington Mill, Captain Bligh’s Brewery, Clyde Mill Distillery, Defiance Whisky, Derwent Distillery, Hunter Island Distillery, Killara Distillery, Lawrenny Distillery, New Zealand Whisky Collection, Old Kempton Distillery, Overeem Distillery, Remnant Whisky Co., Spring Bay Distillery, Sullivans Cove Distillery, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), The Whisky Club, Thomson Whisky and Waubs Harbour Distillery, with more brands and distilleries still to be announced.

While we’re in Tasmania for Maltstock, we’re also planning to visit and taste at a number of local distilleries along the way. It’s the perfect excuse to explore one of the most exciting whisky regions in the world.

What Is Maltstock?

Maltstock is the ultimate relaxed whisky weekend. You arrive, unpack, and settle in for a few days where whisky, good food and great people take centre stage. Everyone stays together for the full weekend, and everything is included, so there’s nothing to organise and nowhere to rush off to. 

All-inclusive Maltstock style means your ticket covers food, drinks, accommodation, whisky masterclasses, informal “drinks with…” sessions, live entertainment and all the little moments in between. Think shared tables, late nights, unexpected drams and conversations that drift well past midnight.

The festival is small, not-for-profit and entirely volunteer-driven. It is created by whisky lovers for whisky lovers. The Maltstock crowd comes from everywhere and all walks of life, but they share one important thing in common: they’re wonderfully relaxed, and extremely generous. An amazing range of premium open bottles for sharing, easy laughs and a welcoming atmosphere are all part of the experience.

Across three days, guests will enjoy:

• Hundreds of whiskies to taste and share

• International guest speakers hosting exclusive masterclasses

• Guided tours of Tasmania’s leading whisky distilleries

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, live music and welcome cocktails

• A whisky bonfire, whisky walk, and plenty of time to explore

• Exclusive whisky merchandise, giveaways and prizes

• A number of special surprises to be announced closer to the event

The Bring-A-Bottle Tradition

At the heart of Maltstock is The Gathering. A bring-a-bottle tradition. Every guest is encouraged to bring one or two bottles of whisky to share with the group. Your name will be added to a bottle tag, and once a bottle is finished, it earns its place in our celebratory Bottle Graveyard — a shared farewell to favourite drams enjoyed together. It’s a simple idea that creates generosity, discovery and a constantly evolving tasting experience across the weekend.

What’s Included (All-Inclusive Ticket)

The inclusive ticket means everything is taken care of.

We’ll collect you from Hobart Airport or Hobart CBD, transport you to Ratho Farm, and return you at the end of the weekend. Your ticket includes all accommodation, all meals, all transport, all experiences and all tastings.

Dates & Times: 

• Start on Friday 15 May at 3.00pm

• End on Sunday 17 May at 12.00pm

Your Ticket Includes — Important Details

• Transport from Hobart CBD & Airport, and return

• Accommodation (couples, twin share or single)

• Friday & Saturday dinners

• Saturday & Sunday breakfasts

• Saturday lunch

• Friday Midnight Feast

• Maltstock showbag and survival kit

• All whisky tastings, activities, distillery visits and presentations (space permitting)

• Ongoing supply of water & fruit

• Please notify us of dietary requirements

Costs: 

• Couples rooms have one queen/king bed

• Twin Share rooms have two single beds

• The number of rooms in each category are limited. Your first choice option may not be available

• As accommodation is mainly BnB-style houses and cabins, please note some rooms may have shared bathrooms

*Prices quoted are per person, and in AUD.

Deposit:

To secure your place at Maltstock Down Under, a non-refundable deposit of $180 is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance will be due 31st March 2026. Full payment details and reminders will be provided closer to the event.

What will cost extra: 

• Soft drinks, beers & snacks

• Old & rare whisky bar

• Optional activities eg: Golf, Fly Fishing,

• Travel to Tasmania – you’ll need to make your own way down to the Apple Isle

A Festival Like No Other

Maltstock Down Under is not a trade show or a traditional whisky festival. There are no stands, no sales pitches and no brand-led agendas. As a not-for-profit event, the focus is firmly on education, community and shared enjoyment rather than commercial outcomes.

Attendance is strictly limited to just 100 guests, ensuring an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where conversations flow as easily as the whisky, friendships are formed, and memories are made.

If you value authenticity, generosity and unforgettable whisky moments, Maltstock Down Under will be the whisky event of the year.

Maltstock Down Under is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.

(www.discovertasmania.com)