A renowned beer brewing institution based in Chicago, known as the oldest in the Americas, is set to transfer its operations to Montreal due to changing regulations in the United States. This relocation has sparked interest within the local community. Julien Savoie, the head brewer at Brasserie Boswell in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, acknowledged the significance of the Siebel Institute in the brewing industry, being among the few schools in North America offering brewing classes.
Established in 1868, the Siebel Institute of Technology will move to a new location on Ste-Catherine Street East in January. While the school declined an interview, they stated on social media that the relocation is a strategic decision prompted by recent U.S. regulatory adjustments making it more difficult for international students, who now constitute the majority of the student body, to attend classes in person.
John Hannafan, the general manager of the Siebel Institute, emphasized that the move aims to uphold educational standards and enhance accessibility for international students. This decision comes in response to the Trump administration’s policies earlier this year, which included cuts to academic research, restrictions on visas for foreign students, and heightened taxes on elite educational institutions.
Antoine Chagnon, CEO of Lallemand Inc. and owner of the Siebel Institute since 2000, plans to complement the brewing school with a baking academy. While some in Chicago view the relocation as a loss for the local beer scene, such as Liz Garibay from the Beer Culture Center, the craft beer industry in Quebec has been flourishing. With over 200 registered breweries, a quarter of which are located in rural areas, beer production in Quebec contributes significantly to the provincial economy.
Marie-Eve Myrand, head of the Association des Brasseurs du Québec, anticipates that the Siebel Institute’s presence will elevate Quebec’s beer industry by introducing new expertise and enhancing the region’s reputation for craft beer. This move is seen as a step towards putting Montreal and Quebec on the global map for brewing knowledge and quality. Savoie also expressed optimism that the technical knowledge brought by the school will further raise the profile of Quebec’s beer industry on a national and international scale.