Water Castle Mellenthin on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom announced the inaugural Mellenthin Whisky Weekend from January 23 to 25, 2026.

The Whisky Weekend commences on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the castle’s own brewery, where guests will be welcomed with a cup of the house-roasted castle coffee. Participants will gain initial insights into the mashing process in the brewhouse and visit the malt floor to learn about various malt varieties. 

The journey continues through the brewhouse for spent grain removal and the fermentation of the mash in the fermentation cellar, including a first tasting. The evening culminates in a convivial kitchen party in the impressive castle brewery kitchen, featuring tarte flambée and pasta variations, salads, various dips, and freshly baked bread, alongside an extensive tasting of the house-brewed beer specialities, setting a delightful tone for the weekend.

From Grain to Gold

Saturday is entirely dedicated to whisky. From 10 a.m., participants will have the opportunity to visit the distillery at the Insel-Manufaktur individually. Here, the art of whisky distillation will be explained from the ground up, illustrated with samples of fore-shots, middle cut, and feints. At 3 p.m., guests will gather in the historic barrel warehouse in the Granary, where the significance of barrel aging and the development of aromas in different wooden casks will be explained. 

A tasting of various maturation stages of the distillates, accompanied by a hearty snack with freshly baked spent grain bread, will round off the afternoon program. The highlight of the day is the exclusive 6-course menu, starting at 6 p.m., harmonised with the samples of matured malt whisky varieties.

The Mellenthin Whisky Weekend is designed as a comprehensive arrangement, including two overnight stays in stylish rooms of the water castle, two rich breakfast buffets in the castle brewery, participation in all aforementioned program points, including tastings and the 6-course whisky menu. 

Additionally, complimentary access to the castle’s spacious wellness area is included, offering moments of relaxation between the intensive tasting experiences. The arrangement thus provides a perfect combination of education, indulgence, and relaxation in a unique historic ambiance.

An Invitation to Enthusiasts and the Curious

Water Castle Mellenthin has invited all whisky enthusiasts and those wishing to delve into the world of distillation to this exclusive experience. Due to the exclusivity of the event, early booking is recommended. Further dates are planned for 2026: February 27-March 1, March 27-March 29 and April 17-April 19.

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2024 Ranked

About Water Castle Mellenthin

Water Castle Mellenthin is a stylishly restored castle complex dating back to 1575 in the heart of the island of Usedom. With its own brewery, distillery, coffee roastery and the island manufactory, it invites you to live, celebrate, relax and unwind. Integrated into the west wing of the complex, the hotel offers comfortable rooms furnished with attention to detail and with modern and generously designed bathrooms. The rooms in the main building are complemented by the attic. This is the former farm building of the castle, which offers its own room categories including comfort rooms with balconies. For more information, visit https://www.wasserschloss-mellenthin.de.

Image via Wikimedia Commons/Zacke82