Newport's Adam Brown never expected his Covid pandemic hobby to turn into an award-winning business — but his honey just took home multiple places at the prestigious Sydney Royal Easter Show - National Honey Competition.
The Pittwater local, began beekeeping during lockdown as a side project. Now, turned into a small business the beloved ‘Brown Bear’s Honey’ has earned a silver and two bronze medals in one of Australia’s most competitive food competitions.
The Sydney Royal National Honey Show at the Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia’s premier apiculture competition, recognising excellence in honey, beeswax, pollen, candles, chunk and comb honey, creamed and granulated honey, and mead. First judged in 1888, it has helped set benchmark standards in Australian beekeeping for more than a century.
Open to all entrants and awarding gold, silver and bronze medals, the competition is evaluated by independent panels on flavour, aroma, clarity, density and presentation. Exhibitors receive detailed feedback, making a Sydney Royal win a significant achievement with substantial promotional benefits. The National Honey Show celebrates skill, dedication and the vital role of apiculture in Australian agriculture.
The 2026 RAS Results record:
2026 NATIONAL HONEY SHOW RESULTS
NATIONAL HONEY SHOW - LIQUID HONEY
CLASS: 13 Liquid honey, produced from Eucalypt, standard colour, light.
2 87 MR ADAM BROWN NEWPORT NSW 2106 Score: 89
CLASS: 14 Liquid honey, produced from sources other than Eucalypt, standard colour, light
3 108 MR ADAM BROWN NEWPORT NSW 2106 Score: 89
NATIONAL HONEY SHOW - NATURAL GRANULATION AND CREAMED HONEY
CLASS: 19 Natural granulation honey, fine grain.
3 175 MR ADAM BROWN NEWPORT NSW 2106 Score: 84.5
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What started out as a small-scale hobby has steadily grown into a recognised small business, with Brown Bear himself selling his honey monthly at the Narrabeen Lakeside Markets and through Instagram.
“I never thought I’d be entering competitions, let alone taking home a prize at the Sydney Royal Easter Show! I’m over the moon!” Brown said. “It started as something fun do during Covid lockdown, and it’s turned into something much bigger. Bees are so important and they’re such amazing little creatures.”
The recognition marks a significant milestone for his small business, highlighting the quality of locally produced honey from Sydney’s Pittwater.
Brown Bear’s Honey is available on the third Sunday of each month at Narrabeen Lakeside Markets, where visitors can sample the award-winning range. Pick up a jar and follow Adam and the bees’ journey on Instagram @brownbearshoney.
As we return from the Easter-Autumn School Holidays break, an insight into how local producers are still winning medals at the annual Royal Easter Show, with thanks to Jasmine Malone for putting this week's Profile together.
How many hives do you have?
I started with 1 to keep me occupied during Covid lockdowns and now I have 10. It’s turned into a small apiary!
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How much honey do you produce and is this impacted by seasonality?
Normally yes. However, there’s been an uncommonly high supply this season. There hasn't been a "down time" over the past 18 months. Normally, in Winter things slow down but it's been non-stop this year! I've harvested around 200kg this season with another 150-200kg to come over the next month!
What does your honey taste like – are the bees gathering from local gardens or native blossoms or?
My honey is extremely light in colour and floral. Bees find nectar sources up to 3kms from their hive so, my honey is from all the flowers in people's gardens all over Pittwater. Naturally, it's slightly seasonal. The first harvest in Spring when the flowers first start to bloom is my personal favourite.
What was your reaction when the results came through?
The scores were announced on the night before the Easter Show opened. I got them around 9pm and was over the moon. I scored favourably and got an 89 out of 100 only 2 points behind first place but I’m absolutely chuffed with Silver. It means a great deal to me personally to be acknowledged in this way.
What have been the challenges in making this work? Have you done some classes to learn how to do this better? How have you protected your bees from the varroa mite?
All of this has been self taught. Some YouTube tutorials have helped but almost all of it has been a solo ongoing learning process. Varroa has been extremely challenging. It’s the biggest problem to hit Australia since the Cane Toad. Most Aussie's don't even know about it or understand the impact it has the potential to have. Varroa kills bee's. No bee's = no food! The main issue I've had with Varroa is the flow on effect from it. It weakens the hive and allows other pests to move in. The bee's are too busy trying to fight Varroa; they can't fight off other problems like the Small Hive Beetle which has wiped out hives all over Sydney. Some of mine were lost last season because of it. It's a bit like a human having Covid AND a Lung infection at the same time. It’s a lot to try and handle. But - I’m choosing to be positive about it - it’s here - and there’s nothing we can do but adapt and make it work.
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Is having your own business better than working for someone else, and if so, why?
Yes. It’s been nothing but a joy pursuing this. From a backyard hobby during lockdowns to it becoming something much bigger has been fantastic.
What were you doing prior to launching into becoming a honey producer?
I’m fortunate enough to own a few other businesses which also keep me busy. I own a gym in Warriewood amongst other things but I’d be lying by saying I haven’t thought about going full time with the bees! I just love every second of it.
Where does the name stem from?
It’s a bit of an inside joke as my surname is Brown and my nickname between close friends is Brown Bear. It seemed like a wholesome and fitting way to incorporate it.
Where can people get their hands on some Brown Bear honey?
By sending me a message directly through my Instagram page @brownbearshoney or in person at the Narrabeen Lakeside market every 3rd Sunday of the month.
What are your favourite places in Pittwater and why?
I’m biased as I live in Newport facing the bay, but I think that the backside of Pittwater looking towards Lion Island at sunset is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We're so lucky here and in my mind, this award highlights that our local produce is world class too!
What is your ‘motto for life’ or a favourite phrase you try to live by?
Say ‘YES’ and figure the rest out later. Too many dreams, goals and businesses fail in the “planning stage.” Just start. Take action and stop asking yourself... “what if it doesn’t work out?”
My viewpoint is: "What if it does…"
