Honey Yeast?

My friend has a bee farm and recently called me and offered me over 3 pounds of fermented honey to use for my brewing. She said she researched it and believes that there is bacteria in it that fermented it. Is this possible honey yeast? Or what is this? And can we even use this in brewing somehow?

 

I'm no expert on the subject, but I do have 4 beehives. It's my understanding that honey has natural antiseptic properties, and will not grow bacteria. Also, it will not ferment at natural/normal concentration. The only way it can ferment is if it is watered down.

I know this doesn't much answer your question, so I am curious to hear from somebody who knows more about it!

 

Listen to him.

 

It is a wild yeast. It is due to the fact that the bees never capped the honey. The hive was either stressed and they never capped as the nectar has to much moisture or winter came earlier than expected. I do know they do not use this to make mead.

I would be a little leary to use it to make beer or anything else alcoholic. Who knows what all is in that nectar, probably also some sort of mold. Hope this helps.

 

How does she know its fermented, I'm assuming some sort of off flavor? As far as the anti microbial thing, that is true but wild yeast, bacteria, mold etc are adapted to those conditions.

Either way I'm sure there is mix of all kinds of microbes in there, but I'd just taste the honey. If it taste bad then obviously don't add it, if it tastes good make a small test batch and see how it affects the flavor profile.