Historic relocation reshapes brewing education
The Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, widely regarded as the oldest brewing school in the Americas, is relocating its flagship operations from Chicago to Montreal. Citing a complex mix of regulatory changes in the United States and evolving demands from craft beer producers, the institution says the move will better serve students and industry partners across North America.
The decision, announced by school leadership in a joint statement with city officials, marks a notable moment in the brewing education landscape. Chicago has long been a hub for brewing talent and innovation, hosting a dense network of microbreweries, established breweries, and related research facilities. Yet the school argues that recent shifts in U.S. regulations—ranging from labeling compliance to evolving sensory testing requirements—create administrative hurdles that slow program delivery and increase costs for aspiring brewers and established professionals alike.
Why Montreal? A strategic fit for North American brewing
Montreal’s vibrant craft beer scene, supported by a welcoming regulatory environment and cross-border collaboration opportunities, offers a logical new home for the school. The city’s universities and technical colleges have a strong track record in food and beverage sciences, while the broader Quebec and Canadian market presents a stable demand for advanced brewing education. By relocating, the Siebel Institute aims to maintain its long-standing mission: to train the next generation of brewers in technical mastery, quality control, and global brewing history.
Institute leaders emphasize that the move is not an abandonment of Chicago’s brewing heritage but a strategic expansion. They expect alumni networks to stay connected through hybrid programs, online coursework, and periodic hands-on sessions in both countries. The new campus in Montreal will feature updated wet labs, sensory analysis suites, and pilot-scale brewhouses designed to mirror commercial operations. This infrastructure is intended to help students gain practical, job-ready skills that align with modern production and regulatory expectations.
Impact on students, faculty, and industry partners
For students, the relocation promises broader access to cross-border opportunities. Trainees can pursue dual certifications, engage with North American brewing standards committees, and participate in internships with Canadian and U.S. breweries without relocating mid-program. Faculty members, many of whom have decades of global brewing experience, will bring fresh pedagogical approaches that fuse traditional techniques with contemporary quality assurance methods.
Industry partners—ranging from large-scale distilleries with beer portfolios to small craft breweries—are watching the transition closely. The Siebel Institute has historically served as a bridge between academic rigor and real-world application, a role that could be amplified in Montreal through closer ties with research centers and industry accelerators in the region. Collaborative projects in product development, sustainability, and supply chain optimization are anticipated to flourish as the school leverages CANADIAN and U.S. collaboration frameworks.
Regulatory shifts fueling the change
Analysts point to U.S. regulatory changes as a primary external driver of the relocation. New labeling, allergen disclosure requirements, and evolving standards for alcohol content verification have increased compliance costs for institutions that offer professional brewing curricula to large cohorts. While the Siebel Institute has long adapted to regulatory updates, administrators say the cumulative effect of recent changes makes a cross-border education model more efficient and resilient.
In addition to regulatory considerations, the school notes macroeconomic factors—cross-border labor mobility, currency risk, and the evolving landscape of import/export rules for educational equipment—as contributing elements to the decision. Montreal’s bilingual environment and robust cultural ties with both the U.S. Midwest and the broader Atlantic market are seen as strategic advantages.
What’s next for the Siebel Institute
The timelines for the move and the opening of the new campus are being finalized, with plans to begin phased programming within the next academic year. The school will host a series of information sessions in both Chicago and Montreal to outline curriculum changes, scholarship opportunities, and career placement services.
As brewing education continues to evolve in response to industry needs and regulatory frameworks, the Siebel Institute’s relocation could serve as a model for other institutions weighing cross-border strategies. Students, alumni, and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how the new Montreal campus shapes the future of high-caliber beer science and professional brewing.
