Meet the Hives.

Mill Creek Bees

Buck Creek Bees

Other Hives & Experimental Bees

Named after the serene Mill Creek that runs through our homestead, these are our “home” bees. Most of the Mill Creek hives are nestled in the fields across our property.

The honey they produce is dark, rich, and full of character—truly one-of-a-kind.

This is the signature flavor most people associate with Whiskey Buzzed Manor honey. We may be biased, but it's our absolute favorite!

Pollen DNA Analysis – Mill Creek Honey:

~ 59% Sweet Clover and Oak

~ 31% Clover, Sumac, Honey Locust, Grape, Hydrangea, & Persimmon

These hives mark my first venture beyond our property. They're located on family land in Festus, MO, right next to acreage once owned by my grandparents. Years ago, when the land was being considered for subdivision among their children, it was affectionately named Buck Creek Meadows.

The bees are placed along the edge of a lush clover field, surrounded by over 30 acres of woodland. The honey from this location is light, sweet, and beautifully floral.

Pollen DNA Analysis – Summer 2024 Buck Creek Honey:

~ 55% Clover and Honey Locust

~ 45% Persimmon, Oak, Sumac, Willow, Grape, Magnolia, Honeysuckle, Cherry, & Blackberry

I'm currently supporting other beekeepers throughout Jefferson County, and as part of one partnership, I’ll be receiving half of the honey crop in return for my services. We're excited to offer honey from DeSoto, MO, expected in Summer 2025.

This season, I’ve also launched a small experimental project to compare different hive configurations. While I’ve mostly used screened bottom boards—great for ventilation and mite control—I’m curious about the potential benefits of other setups.

The Experiment:

Left Hive: Screened Bottom Wooden Hive

Middle Hive: Solid Bottom Wooden Hive

Right Hive: Insulated Hillco 365 Hive

All three hives were started from packages sourced from Wilbanks Apiaries, Inc. in Georgia.

Temperature and humidity sensors are placed inside each hive (between frames 4 and 5 in the bottom brood box).

An additional sensor is mounted on the hive stand to monitor ambient conditions for comparison.

I will monitor the hives as they build up this spring and summer, for honey production, for how well they control the temperature and humidity in the hive, and most importantly how well they thrive during the winter.