[zen]

Was given 3 supers with beautiful capped honey from last year. Bears destoyued the Hives. The honey is still in frames and has been stored well over winter but is giving off a slight fermenting aroma. Is this safe to eat or should the boxes with frames and honey be placed back on a hive for cleaning by the bees. Most of the honey is well capped, alot has crystallized.

 

[Michael Bush]

There is always a slight yeasty odor in a hive. There is NOT normally an alcohol smell unless there is fermentation. If you see bubbles in the honey in the cells then it is probably fermenting. Even if it's fermented it won't hurt you (unless you eat or drink enough to get drunk). Taste it and see if it's fermented, if you have doubts about it.