Yes, goldenrod has a vulgar smell while it is being processed, which
disappears when the honey is ripe. This smell seems to attract bears, as bear
damage is much more common during goldenrod bloom.
   Another area which has not been mentioned is the general health of the
hive. Smell is highly important to me, when rating my hives in preparation
for winter (hard to do during goldenrod bloom though).
  A slight sour smell is common when bees have high levels of tracheal mite,
chalkbrood disease, or a failing queen. This is to be distinguished from that
"slap in the face" foulbrood smell.
  The sour smell idicates bees that are sickly or weak. I look for other
 symptoms like greasy looking bees and dark cappings on sealed brood
(reworking old wax; just spinning wheels) Whether this is a failing queen or
genetic weakness for disease, the solution is the same. Requeen. If it is too
late in the season, eliminate the colony. Splitting your strong hives next
spring will give you a far better replacement, than nursing poor bees through
the winter, and often losing them in the spring. Last winter I culled about
250 hives for various weaknesses, and put my resources and feeding into my
good bees. It paid off!