Dutch Bros. stands are swarming with bees — and it's making the bees sick

By Lauren Gilger
Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 - 11:15am
Updated: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 - 11:50am

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This is a story about bees and coffee — or at least the syrup that sweetens the coffee at one of Arizona’s most popular coffee chains.

Robrt Pela found that many Dutch Bros. coffee stands have a bee problem — and it’s not just a problem for the customers. It’s also making the bees sick. 

Pela wrote the story for PHOENIX magazine. He joined The Show to talk about what he saw when he started investigating this story.

Illustration of Robrt Pela at a Dutch Bros with a coffee cup covered in bees
PHOENIX magazine/Shelby Rinke
Illustration for Robrt Pela’s PHOENIX magazine article, “Sting operation: Dutch Bros’ bee problem”

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