Brewshack Honey
By Mark Tumarkin
The Brewshack, the homebrew supply in Tampa, is now carrying a line of honey from an apiary co-op in Virginia. These are some more unusual and exotic honeys and, as such, are more expensive than orange blossom or other local honeys. Some are fairly reasonable, others are very pricey, but if you're looking for something to make unusual mead, you'll find something here to suit. Remember that honey is heavy so it would be best if you can arrange to pick it up in Tampa (let everyone know when you do so we can all order together).
The Brewshack is located at 4025 W. Waters Ave, Tampa, Florida. They have an 800 number but it's listed with the corresponding letters that spell BREW - I hate that, so you'll have to translate it yourself - 1-800-646-BREW.
Store Hours are: Mon-Wed 10am - 7pm, Thur-Sat 10am-8pm, and Sun 1pm-6pm. These honeys are new and I didn't find them on the website, but the web address is: http://www.brewshack.com/index.shtml
Acacia - Light and delicate, with a flavor that reminds you of dried pineapple. $28.69
Alfalfa - Still more delicate. It does not taste like clove or allspice, and yet there is a subtle similarity of character. $34.99
Avocado - Dark and rich and full bodied, and there is definitely, a "family resemblance" to the avocado fruit. A very sensuous honey. $37.59
Basswood - This is one where the language of flavors is simply inadequate. Basswood is sharper than some; complex and interesting; possibly "woody"? We like it for Earl Grey tea. $31.99
Blackberry - Medium light and exceptionally sweet! Popular with the kids. It has a fruity character. $35.99
Blueberry - Midrange in color, blueberry is surprisingly rich tasting. The "blueberry" note faint to nonexistent, but others have remarked on it with some enthusiasm. $40.99
Buckwheat - "Single-Malt honey". The very strongest and darkest of honeys, it approaches blackstrap molasses. This is one that is more than a pretty sweetener. It will hold its own in whatever you cook! $28.99
Christmasberry - The taste is strong and exotic. It is of medium body. It is not light nor heavy, nutty or fruity...etc. $54.99
Clary Sage - Medium in strength and color, it is quite distinctive in its complex flavor. One gourmet proclaimed that is was "just what I expected of Clary". It makes a nice partner for tea when you want more than just the tea flavor. $37.99
Clover - Just because its familiar doesn't mean it cant be wonderful. One of the sweet delicate ones. A personal mead making favorite. $28.99
Cotton - A bit on the dark side of medium, it is so smooth and rich and mellow. It is shaping up to be a best seller. $42.99
Cranberry - An exciting honey. It is medium sweet and the taste is tangy. $32.99
Desert Sage - Light, with just a bit of edge to its character, and a pleasant dustiness. $36.99
Eucalyptus - Yes it does have a hint of that cool Eucalyptus quality, sometimes a little more, sometimes barely there, in a pleasant mellow honey. $44.99
Fireweed - "The" most popular! It has an extraordinary buttery taste. If you like your toast with honey and butter, you can leave off the butter. $43.99
Foxglove - Another complex, hard to describe one. Medium-dark, edgy, flavorful. $37.99
Goldenrod - "Golden" is a good name for this one. Well rounded, not too sweet, and dark gold. $31.99
Heather - Though a lighter then medium gold color, it has one of the strongest flavors. It is fragrant and floral with a very lingering aftertaste that is almost bitter, the way hops are bitter. $142.99
Huckleberry - A nice middle of the road honey. On the light side of medium in color and taste. Described as tasting like candy corn. $33.99
Lehua - From Hawaii, it's medium gold and medium sweet. Just a plain odd in flavor. $53.99
Macadamia - Another one from Hawaii and yes, it will remind you of the nut. Very rich in taste and color. $53.99
Meadowfoam - Tastes like the inside of a warm marshmallow...seriously! $43.99
Mesquite - Light, delicate, and it does taste "mesquite" but not smokey. $43.99
Mint - Light and Fresh tasting. $35.99
Orange Blossom - A singularly beautiful honey., the taste of an orange grove in full blossom, light heady and fragrant. $28.99
Palmetto - In a class with avocado and blueberry; somewhat strong, rich and mellow, and dark amber color. $32.99
Raspberry - This is a light delightful honey. Is it light with a slightly fruity taste. Silky to the feel. $36.99
Snowberry - Light, sweet, with a bit of tang; not as thick as some. $36.99
Sourwood - The pride of the Carolina and Tennessee. This is light colored, delicate, and subtle. Not sour, but less sweet than others. $60.99
Thistle - Light in color and "lively" in flavor. Fun and popular. $40.99
Tulip Popular - Second only to buckwheat in strength and darkness of color. Woody, makes a dark mead. $37.99
Tupelo - Famed in a song, one of the sweetest honeys. Clear yellow in color, with a characteristic greenish glow. Reminds of gumdrops. $57.99
Vetch - Possibly the perfect Winnie-the-Pooh honey. $35.99