A renowned beer brewing institution in Chicago, known as the oldest in the Americas, is relocating to Montreal due to regulatory adjustments in the United States. This move has garnered local interest. Julien Savoie, the head brewer at Brasserie Boswell in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, highlighted the significance of the Siebel Institute in the brewing industry as one of the few North American schools 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 request, it mentioned on social media that the relocation is a strategic decision. The school expressed that recent regulatory modifications in the U.S. have made it increasingly difficult for international students, who now constitute the majority of its student body, to attend in-person classes.
John Hannafan, the general manager of the Siebel Institute, emphasized that the move will uphold educational standards and enhance accessibility for international students. The Trump administration’s actions earlier this year, such as funding cuts to academic research, restrictions on visas for foreign students (particularly from China), and heightened taxes on prestigious institutions, have influenced this relocation decision.
In Quebec, the craft beer industry has been expanding, contributing to rural economies with over 200 registered breweries. The Association des Brasseurs du Québec estimates that beer plays a significant role in the province’s GDP, generating approximately $3 billion in annual economic advantages. Marie-Eve Myrand, the association’s leader, believes that the arrival of the Siebel Institute will elevate Quebec’s beer sector by introducing new expertise and knowledge, potentially enhancing the province’s reputation in the global craft beer community.
Overall, stakeholders anticipate that the school’s presence in Quebec will foster technical advancements in brewing, further enhancing the province’s reputation in the global beer market. Savoie expressed optimism that this development will not only elevate Quebec’s stature in Canada but also internationally, recognizing the province’s brewing excellence.