# Ey! Where you get your honey at? **URL:** \ **Category:** Other Fermentables\ **Created:** [June 22, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353 "2015-06-22T16:54:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AmandaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AmandaK](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/AmandaK)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/1 "2015-06-22T16:54:40Z")
It has been decided that we are getting into mead. (Thaaaaanks NHC 2015) After listening to Schramm, Piatz, Curt Stock, and Fairbrother… well we are just too excited to not try it out. I’ve already burned through Piatz’s book and I’m most of the way through Schramm’s. I have all of the equipment, the supplies, and basically everything except for the honey. There are too many choices as to what to buy and where/who to buy it from. We are doing two batches right off the bat - a riff on Curt & Kathy’s triple berry melomel and an orange blossom traditional. I believe we are going to just get the honey for the melomel from Costco as they sell clover honey. The orange blossom is where I’m curious as to where other people find their honey. So far I’ve seen a wide variety from Dutch Gold (which I think is not raw) to Bee Folks (which is raw), with a $60+ difference in price for 5 gallon pails. I don’t know enough to figure out if there really is a difference between the two. So anyway - recommendations would be awesome. I trust you guys and your experience, so fire away. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/2 "2015-06-22T17:00:09Z")
Look around. There are bee keepers everywhere and you can find some honey with local character. Not to mention helping support a vital local craft. that said, raw honey is going to have better flavor and aroma as it hasn’t been heated. ---
**Author:** ![AmandaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AmandaK](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/AmandaK)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/3 "2015-06-22T17:04:17Z")
> [@morticaixavier](#): > > Look around. There are bee keepers everywhere and you can find some honey with local character. Not to mention helping support a vital local craft. > > that said, raw honey is going to have better flavor and aroma as it hasn’t been heated. I found two beekeepers/honey vendors in my area. They are asking ~$15 for an 8 ounce jar of wildflower honey. Yowza. ---
**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/4 "2015-06-22T17:06:47Z")
I’ve heard great stuff about the company below. May have been here or on another forum. Sure, shipping can be a hassle, costly, and not local. I plan on making lots of mead when I move out that way. > **[Best Honey, Buy Raw Honey from California | Honey Pacifica](https://www.honeypacifica.com)** > > Shop online for the Best Honey. Unpasteurized honey from Honey Pacifica in California. Your raw honey source for where to buy honey. ---
**Author:** ![jimmykx250](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jimmykx250/32/19_2.png) [@jimmykx250](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jimmykx250)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/5 "2015-06-22T17:17:48Z")
Local is great if you can afford it. However iv’e had great experiences with  [https://www.dutchgoldhoney.com/](https://www.dutchgoldhoney.com/). Orange blossom is tasty. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/6 "2015-06-22T17:21:22Z")
> [@AmandaK](#): > > > [@morticaixavier](#): > > > > Look around. There are bee keepers everywhere and you can find some honey with local character. Not to mention helping support a vital local craft. > > > > that said, raw honey is going to have better flavor and aroma as it hasn’t been heated. > > I found two beekeepers/honey vendors in my area. They are asking ~$15 for an 8 ounce jar of wildflower honey. Yowza. yikes! they don’t have bulk pricing? Do you have a health food/coop type store in your area? that’s often a good source for local bulk honey. ---
**Author:** ![maaswinhester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/maaswinhester/32/13423_2.png) [@maaswinhester](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/maaswinhester)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/7 "2015-06-22T17:29:42Z")
When I do not buy local, I like to use these folks: > **[Welcome to Flying Bee Ranch | Raw Honey & Beekeeping Supplies](https://flyingbeeranch.net/)** > > Shop our selection of raw varietal honeys, beeswax, bee pollen, and other products of the hive. Visit our family-friendly honey tasting room! The carrot blossom is my favorite. I also really like the baby’s breath. Meadowfoam makes a great braggot. ---
**Author:** ![stevo155](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@stevo155](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/stevo155)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/8 "2015-06-22T17:47:36Z")
> [@jimmykx250](#): > > Local is great if you can afford it. However iv’e had great experiences with  [https://www.dutchgoldhoney.com/](https://www.dutchgoldhoney.com/). > Orange blossom is tasty. This is what I have used and I love it.  I also believe Michael Fairbrother sources a lot of his honey form them (and McClure’s in NH, which they also own).  I can get a 60 lb pail of wildflower from them for about $168 shipped, which works out to about $2.81 per lb.  Not a bad price.  Other local options for me end up being closer to $4-5 /lb. ---
**Author:** ![jeffy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jeffy/32/12842_2.png) [@jeffy](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jeffy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/9 "2015-06-22T18:05:03Z")
We have bee farmer in Florida who is also a homebrewer and mead maker.  Look for David Webb of Webb’s Honey in Orlando.  I believe he will give you a very good price. ---
**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/10 "2015-06-22T18:11:11Z")
> [@jeffy](#): > > We have bee farmer in Florida who is also a homebrewer and mead maker.  Look for David Webb of Webb’s Honey in Orlando.  I believe he will give you a very good price. Bee keeper seems like a cover for a secret agent if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![pete\_baker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pete_baker/32/5190_2.png) [@pete\_baker](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pete_baker)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/11 "2015-06-22T19:45:13Z")
I go directly with a local guy, raw 5 gallon buckets are about $200.  It makes me happy when my own hives produce enough but its often not the case. If you get into it you can get a hive or two for your back yard, your orchard and veggies will benefit. ---
**Author:** ![tim\_thomssen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@tim\_thomssen](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tim_thomssen)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/12 "2015-06-22T23:48:31Z")
Believe it or not, we have access to some wonderful local honey that makes pretty good mead, right here in Lincoln Nebraska.  Actually just outside of Lincoln anyway.  If I remember right it was around $30 for a 1 gallon jug, about 12 pounds.  I decided to give it a try after learning that the BOS mead in the Sowers Cup last year was made with that honey. ---
**Author:** ![narcout](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/narcout/32/7683_2.png) [@narcout](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/narcout)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/13 "2015-06-23T00:29:09Z")
I also am newly interested in mead after the NHC. > [@AmandaK](#): > > I’ve already burned through Piatz’s book and I’m most of the way through Schramm’s. Does one of those books seem noticeably better than the other?  I am trying to decide which one to read first. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/14 "2015-06-23T01:20:10Z")
> [@narcout](#): > > I also am newly interested in mead after the NHC. > > > [@AmandaK](#): > > > > I’ve already burned through Piatz’s book and I’m most of the way through Schramm’s. > > Does one of those books seem noticeably better than the other?  I am trying to decide which one to read first. Ken’s book has been out since 2003. It went to press before the staged nutrient additions were worked out and proven. There is a Zymurgy article by him a year or 2 later that outlines the nutrient additions. Styles, honey, recipes are well covered, as are techniques. The Piatz book is newer, so more up to date. I have not seen it, so no rating from me. There is a Zymurgy article by him in the last several years that was pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![udubdawg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e99b99/32.png) [@udubdawg](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/udubdawg)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/15 "2015-06-23T02:56:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Believe it or not, we have access to some wonderful local honey that makes pretty good mead, right here in Lincoln Nebraska.  Actually just outside of Lincoln anyway.  If I remember right it was around $30 for a 1 gallon jug, about 12 pounds.  I decided to give it a try after learning that the BOS mead in the Sowers Cup last year was made with that honey. Side note, that was a damn fine batch of tupelo mead you entered a few places this year. Been predicting NHC glory for it. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![AmandaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AmandaK](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/AmandaK)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/16 "2015-06-23T03:21:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Believe it or not, we have access to some wonderful local honey that makes pretty good mead, right here in Lincoln Nebraska.  Actually just outside of Lincoln anyway.  If I remember right it was around $30 for a 1 gallon jug, about 12 pounds.  I decided to give it a try after learning that the BOS mead in the Sowers Cup last year was made with that honey. Well, looks like I will have to haul some back after we visit for the Sower’s Cup! ---
**Author:** ![AmandaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AmandaK](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/AmandaK)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/17 "2015-06-23T03:25:15Z")
> [@narcout](#): > > I also am newly interested in mead after the NHC. > > > [@AmandaK](#): > > > > I’ve already burned through Piatz’s book and I’m most of the way through Schramm’s. > > Does one of those books seem noticeably better than the other?  I am trying to decide which one to read first. Schramm is more detailed in words. Piatz describes more in pictures and words. I started with Piatz because I was hungover after NHC and it looked less intimidating than Schramm at the time. I was probably correct in my choice then, but I am certainly enjoying Schramm. I’m just now go the part on fruits and varietals of fruits. As such, I already got clearance to plant two black currant bushes in the north garden. I would highly recommend both. I am also going back through old NHC presentations and listening to them. I’m learning quite a lot! ---
**Author:** ![a10t2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/a10t2/32/6257_2.png) [@a10t2](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/a10t2)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/18 "2015-06-23T05:10:36Z")
Maybe it’s another Colorado-spoiled thing, but I go to the local honey aggregator/retailer when I’m in a decent-sized town. Though they may not advertise it, they almost always cut deals on 5 gal buckets - around $200-250. I’m having trouble googling since I’m not really sure what to call them (honey warehouse? honey wholesaler?) but maybe these guys are worth a call. Any excuse to visit Peculiar, MO, right? [http://cooperhoney.com](http://cooperhoney.com) ---
**Author:** ![pete\_baker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pete_baker/32/5190_2.png) [@pete\_baker](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pete_baker)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/19 "2015-06-23T11:14:54Z")
If you are having trouble finding local honey in bulk you could contact someone selling it retail and just ask if you can get a 5 gallon bucket . Like Sean said they don’t advertise it. ---
**Author:** ![stevo155](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@stevo155](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/stevo155)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353/20 "2015-06-23T12:34:13Z")
> [@narcout](#): > > Does one of those books seem noticeably better than the other?  I am trying to decide which one to read first. I never read a mead book but I found online resources from Michael Fairbrother and Curt Stock to be invaluable.  Search out any documents by them and download some of the BN and Basic Brewing podcasts. [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/ey-where-you-get-your-honey-at/20353.md?page=2)