Learn the art, science and business of the vibrant and continually evolving brewing industry at the 2,300 square foot brewing facility at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. This two-year program provides you with hands-on training that includes developing recipes, sourcing ingredients and conducting trial brews.
In alignment with the Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI), you will receive a solid grounding in technical, analytical, business, marketing and entrepreneurial skills needed in the brewing industry. During the program, you will have the opportunity to brew your own beer and potentially bring it to market within the Olds College Brewery store.
Previously known as the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management Diploma. View Media Release
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a diploma in Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations Diploma. Graduates will also receive certification in Proserve, Food Handling and First Aid.
Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.
Transfer Options: Olds College has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements
Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.
International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.
Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.
For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards.
Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.
For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.
For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Academic Calendar: Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations Diploma
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
The following items are required to be purchased before the program starts:
The following items are compulsory purchases that are available from the Olds College Brewery Retail Store. These items must be purchased the first week of classes:
All admitted students are required to obtain their ProServe Certification prior to starting their program - this training can be completed online and costs $26.25. If you're unfamiliar with ProServe Certification, please read their about page.
Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.
Time Requirements: This program is fairly intensive and students may spend time outside of class working on projects and brewing. Field trips are also common and may occur outside of regular class hours. Adequate notice of all field trips will be given so students can prepare accordingly.
Student Clubs: SAAZ
"The Brewmaster program is a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and connect with the craft beer industry. Unique trips such as Yakima during hop harvest, to Rahr Malting and Labatts are once in a lifetime opportunities to get behind-the-scenes insight to better illustrate the classroom learning. The dedication of the faculty to this program has been a positive example to us students. I'm learning more in this program than I could've put together in my own free time. Being at Olds is helping me realize my goals by providing me with knowledge and skills that can only lead to my success in a growing industry."
Jason Armitage, Class of 2015
