Dry Creek Beekeeping in Elizabeth is full of busy bees, and they produce more than honey. This agritourism business gives its customers a hands-on experience while introducing them to the world of bees.
Chase Dittmar’s fascination for bees began during a beekeeping presentation through his local 4-H chapter, leading him to become a beekeeper in 2018 at age 13. Later, Chase realized he also had a knack for teaching others about bees.
In 2023, he and his parents B’Ann and Dan Dittmar formed Dry Creek Beekeeping, which is on JCE Co-op lines. They opened their doors to customers in 2024.
The Dittmars weren’t bee pros overnight. In addition to Chase’s years learning how to be a beekeeper, B’Ann has undergone her own journey.
“When Chase got really into the beekeeping and he wanted to open this, I took a deep dive on the honey side. I have done 16 hours of training, learned how to be a honey judge, and took the first step toward being a honey sommelier. There’s a lot to know about honey — a lot,” she says.
Customers have a variety of ways to experience the sweet side of the business, from honey classes to its new Honey Bar, where patrons can sample 20 varieties of honey from around the world.
“I started teaching classes about honey,” B’Ann continues, “and people are fascinated with it. It’s fun; it’s interesting; it’s different. I enjoy meeting people, and I love teaching. So, it’s a perfect fit for me, and it’s a perfect fit for Chase. He [has that] joy of teaching, as well.”
In addition to the tastings and classes, honey is also available for purchase. “Last year, we ended up with more than 600 pounds of honey,” B’Ann says. “It’ll be a lot more this year, but we do this really fun honey harvest over Labor Day weekend. Last year, being our first year in business, we weren’t sure how it was going to go, and it was just a smashing success.”
Chase takes visitors to see the hives up close. Dressed in beekeeping suits, customers can safely view more than a million bees living on the property. Visitors can follow the process from the hive until the honey is poured into the bottle.
“We ended last winter with 27 hives, and we’re sitting on a little bit less than that now, just because this winter was rough. But, by the end of this year, I’m expecting to be back up to 30, if not 40 or so, hives,” Chase says. “At the peak of summer, each hive has about 60,000 bees in it.”
The business is not limited to their property. Numerous collaborative events have been set up at other local businesses. Events in nearby Galena include honey and mead tastings at Eagle Ridge Resort and candle making and honey tastings at Scent Workshop, which incorporates the same scents in the candles that are found in the honey. Even more collaborations are on the horizon.
Both B’Ann and Chase speak proudly of the public’s reaction to their business. “If you look online, we’re proud of the fact that we have all five-star reviews. I think people come here and they don’t know what to expect, and they leave and they’re just blown away,” B’Ann says.
Learn more about bees during Dry Creek’s summer season, which begins May 14 with their weekend-long Bee-Day Party celebration.
Dry Creek Beekeeping
489 South Clark Lane, Elizabeth
815-297-3366
drycreekbeekeeping.com
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