09/30/2026
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County hosted a Black Jar Honey Contest on Tuesday, September 29th! Honey enthusiasts, beekeepers, and members of the community dropped off honey samples for the Black Jar Honey Contest, a new event celebrating the remarkable variety, flavor, and craftsmanship found in locally produced honey. The Black Jar Honey Contest is a sensory-based honey competition designed to showcase the flavor and aroma of honey while celebrating beekeepers and the diversity of honey produced by honeybees.
The contest featured entries from beekeepers throughout Texas, including Austin, Bexar, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Schleicher, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties, with participants submitting their finest honey for judging. Unlike traditional honey competitions, the Black Jar format allows judges to evaluate honey based primarily on taste and aroma, without being influenced by its color or appearance.
“This contest gives honey a chance to speak for itself,” said Stacie Villarreal. “It highlights the incredible diversity of flavors that bees and beekeepers can produce, from delicate floral notes to rich, complex flavors.”
Following the judging, Bob & Diane Mahan from Bexar County were named the 2026 Black Jar Honey Contest winner; judges' notes include that it had a floral and fruity aroma, along with a fruity flavor with floral notes. Our second-place winner was Glen Frey from Walker County; judges' comments were Autumn in a jar! Third place was Tom Shaughnessy from Austin County, also recognized for their outstanding entry; judges' comments were fruity, c***r aroma, and fruity upfront with a warm finish. We even had a People’s Choice Award, several people in the Extension office tasted the top 6 honeys and chose Brain Jessogen from Colorado County.
The Black Jar Honey Contest is part of a broader effort to promote beekeeping, educate the public about honeybees and pollination, and encourage appreciation for locally produced honey.
“We are grateful to everyone who entered, judged, volunteered, and supported this year's contest,” said Villarreal. “Events like this bring attention to the hard work of beekeepers and the important role honeybees play in our communities and agriculture.”
For more information about the Black Jar Honey Contest, upcoming events, or local beekeeping activities, contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Stacie Villarreal at 979-865-2072 or visit Austin.agrilife.org.
