Sour smelling honey

[Ed Gallop]

My son in VA Beach, VA became interested in Bee Keeping and has 3 hives (started last year). I live 5 hours away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He brought me 2 deep supers to extract with another 4 to come next week because he doesn't have an extractor. I noticed this morning that the supers had a sour smell and the honey did not taste good. I have been beekeeping for many years (with six to 12 hives) and never had sour smell or bad tasting honey. He said it was because my last harvest has always been after the Sourwood bloomed. He said it was Goldenrod. We have Goldenrod nearby so feel I would recognize the odor. I've never seen or smelled Foulbrood so became concerned. I didn't think Foulbrood would effect honey odor or taste above the hive's brood but would feel better if someone here would verify that. Am I over reacting or is Goldenrod honey sour smelling and taste really weird? I sure wouldn't sell it to my customers.

[divemaster1963]

If the hive is in a strung goldenrod flow they will have a strong smell of the worst smelly socks there is. I like goldenrod but the only after its been through a winter . the aging reduces to no oder a the taste is great. Fresh goldenrod honey may have to set with a screen on it in the honey house to reduce the smell of it.

John

[Ed Gallop]

That would explain why I never smelled it. I didn't harvest it fresh. The bees used it to winter on. I will do as you say with his honey. Thanks.

[GSF]

I can smell my hives from at least 50 yards away. It's a pleasant stink. Maybe akin to some flavored coffee stuff. A friend of mine says it just great in black coffee, after smelling the smell and thinking about it I can see his point.

[Newlywed5702]

Honey with tooooo much water will ferment and smell sour.

[Ed Gallop]

The smelly supers were enclosed in pallet form but after being left open in my garage a couple days there was no bad odor. I extracted and the honey and it is some of the best ever. Goldenrod is worth harvesting. I will in the future.

[divemaster1963]

Congrats. Love golden rod honey. Great for baisting hams and turkeys when I smoke them. Gives them a great glaze.

John