Urban Beekeeping in Oregon: A Blossoming Affair
There’s been a buzz in Oregon’s cities of late. I’m talking the kind of hullabaloo that would make old man Wong from Wong’s King Seafood Restaurant in southeast Portland drop his dim sum. From Bend to Beaverton, Eugene to Gresham, and all the way over here to the “Rose City” herself (that’s Portland, if you ain’t local), bees are back in business.
Alright, maybe the buzz isn’t audible. Still, it’s there, as neighborhoods across the state have discovered a newfound love for urban beekeeping. And as surely as our skies turn grey come winter, Oregonians have taken this task to heart.
A Honeycomb in the Concrete Jungle
Once upon a time, cities were the last place you’d expect to find a thriving hive. But here we are, with apiaries sprouting up in backyards and rooftops across our myriad cityscapes. These havens, tucked between the downtown coffee shops and Powell’s Books, coexist quite nicely next to the famed hikers’ paradise, Forest Park, and the cyclists buzzing up Mount Tabor.
It’s how we do things in Oregon, you see. In a state where we pride ourselves on recycling our bottles and cans at BottleDrop and know our Kombucha brands better than we know our neighbors, we find joy in the simple and the sustainable. Bees fit that bill perfectly.
Brews and Bees
Speaking of bills, did you know that bees play an important role in the brewing processes of many local craft beers? That’s right! Much like the water cascading over the picturesque Multnomah Falls, local brewmasters understand: the best comes naturally.
It’s well-known that the Yakima Valley, just over the Columbia River, supplies a hefty amount of hops. But this alone doesn’t capture the magic element of ‘terroir’. Enter: the bees. Their honey adds splendid notes of Portland’s local flowers to our beer’s flavor palette – an ode to Oregon in every pint!
No wonder folks at Rogue Ales & Spirits in Newport have their own blooming hives. You’ll find them right there beside the Yaquina Bay Bridge, creating honey-infused ales that are as unique as a sun-break in a fresh Portland drizzle.
Making a Pollen Pact
As Oregonians, we have a pact with nature. While we relish our Powell’s City of Books and gorgeously gritty arts district of Alberta Street, we also revere our Crater Lake National Park and Hells Canyon’s rim-rocked beauty. We owe it to the next generation to keep these wonders wonderful.
In this spirit, urban beekeeping has transcended being merely a hobby. For many of us, it’s become a statement, a stand against the continued endangerment of these diligent little creatures.
Overall, urban beekeeping is gaining popularity and momentum. As surely as the cherry blossoms by the Japanese Garden give way to sweet green leaves, beekeeping has begun to permeate urban life in Oregon, shaping our honey, our meads, our environment, and our very culture.
And here’s a though for ya; as you sip your morning Smith Teamaker’s brew or mosey through the bustling Portland Farmers Market clutching fresh blooms, remember: you’re part of this buzzing narrative too. So, come on board, Oregonians and visitors alike! Let’s welcome the bees into our backyards and onto our rooftops. Together, let’s continue to make Oregon a haven for bees. As they say around here, “Keep Portland [and all of Oregon, really] weird, green, and full of bees.” It really doesn’t get more Oregon than that.