Honey Farms Near Helen
Sourwood and wildflower honey from the beekeepers of the Blue Ridge foothills
The short answer
Why this is honey country
The Southern Appalachians are the home of sourwood honey, a light, buttery, slightly spicy honey made from the nectar of the sourwood tree. Sourwood is a relative of blueberries and rhododendrons, it blooms in summer, and in fall its leaves turn a deep crimson, so you'll see it along the same roads you're driving for leaf color.
Sourwood is also a fickle crop. A rainy bloom can wash the nectar away, so supply swings from year to year and a good jar costs more than ordinary wildflower honey. If a seller says it's sourwood, ask where the hives were and when it was harvested.
Where to buy honey near Helen
Buying from the beekeeper is the surest way to know what's in the jar. These three producers have current listings and contact details, and they cover the range from a shop on Main Street to a farm road outside Cleveland.
| Producer | Where | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey on the Hill | 8600 N Main St, Helen | 706-878-9982 | Honey and bee pollen; shop in town |
| Allison's Honey | 172 Lloyds Honey Farm Rd, Cleveland | See website | Family apiary; raw, unfiltered honey; ships |
| Blue Ridge Honey Company | 6306 Hwy 441 S, Lakemont | 706-782-6722 | Store hours Mon-Fri 8:30-5, Sat 9:30-5, closed Sun |
The producers
Honey on the Hill
A shop at 8600 N Main St in Helen, with all-natural honey and bee pollen on offer. It's the closest stop if you're already walking downtown. See the shop's website.
Allison's Honey
A family-run apiary in Cleveland (172 Lloyds Honey Farm Rd) selling raw, unfiltered honey from wildflower to sourwood, and shipping by USPS and UPS. About 20 minutes from Helen. Its website doesn't post store hours, so contact them first.
Blue Ridge Honey Company
A bigger operation in Lakemont (6306 Hwy 441 S), about 50 minutes from Helen, run by beekeeper Bob Binnie, who has kept bees since 1981 according to its website. It sells honey, candles, beekeeping supplies and books.
Betty's and the Nacoochee shops
Betty's Country Store and the Old Sautee Store stock regional food gifts if you want a jar without a side trip.
Buying tips
Raw honey crystallizes over time, which is normal; warm the jar in a pan of hot water to loosen it. Ask whether a label is a blend or from a single harvest, and keep jars upright in the car on warm days. If you'd like to pair honey with a drive, fall color and downtown shopping both fit around these stops.
Quick questions
What is sourwood honey?
A light, buttery honey made from the nectar of the sourwood tree, a specialty of the Southern Appalachians. It's often priced above other honeys because the crop varies from year to year.
Where is the nearest honey shop to downtown Helen?
Honey on the Hill at 8600 N Main St (706-878-9982) is in town. Allison's Honey in Cleveland is about 20 minutes away.
Can I buy honey shipped to my home?
Allison's Honey ships by USPS and UPS, and Blue Ridge Honey Company sells online as well.
When does the sourwood bloom?
In summer, so late-season visitors will find jars harvested earlier in the year rather than a bloom in progress.
More to explore
Related Imagery from Around Helen
