MILWAUKEE – June 9, 2014 – The Pfister^® Hotel, which is owned and managed by Marcus^® Hotels & Resorts, has established two beehives on the roof of its 23-story tower. The hives contain roughly 20,000 honeybees, and are anticipated to yield approximately 30 gallons of honey this fall, doubling that amount next year.

The Pfister Hotel’s Executive Chef Brian Frakes—who just months ago had a significant fear of bees—will act as the resident beekeeper, tending to them daily. To prepare for his new role, Chef Frakes spent more than 30 hours in a urban agriculture beekeeping class offered by Milwaukee County’s University of Wisconsin—Extension.

“While the idea of producing our own honey sounded like a great idea in theory, I have to admit I was a little nervous to accept the responsibility,” said Frakes. “Over the past few months of learning about them, I’ve grown to really respect bees and my fear of them has diminished—almost completely.”

The idea for the Pfister beehives grew out of the hotel’s continuous focus on sustainability and using locally sourced ingredients. Over the past few years, concerns about Colony Collapse Disorder in North American honeybees have been growing. Adding the hives to the Pfister will not only help the community by providing plenty of bees to pollinate area gardens and parks, but the honey harvested will also provide chefs local and sustainable honey for use in onsite bars and restaurants. The hotel plans to use the honey in specialty dishes on its menus, in “Honey Dinners,” and even sell jars of honey in its retail outlets.

“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting concept to Milwaukee,” said Paul Ohm, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. “We look forward to offering our guests inventive new dishes featuring our very own local ingredient.”

As the Pfister’s beehives continue to thrive, the hotel will offer private tours to the public by appointment. Guests can call (414) 935-5950 to schedule a tour.