Following the suspension of student intake for the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program in February 2025, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has officially suspended the program and scheduled the closure of the Olds College Brewery for June 2026. Unfortunately, the craft beer industry has been on a downward trend for the last few years and has resulted in significantly decreased student enrolment in the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program.
Students currently enrolled in the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations diploma are in their final year of the program and will complete their studies and graduate. The instructors are teaching out the program until classes finish at the end of April 2026, and the Olds College Brewery will remain a learning enterprise for these students until the end of the academic year. The College has not accepted new intakes into the program since Fall 2025 due to low student demand.
Since 2013, the Olds College Brewery has been the teaching and learning enterprise for the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations diploma. Since the program has now moved from intake suspension to a full program suspension, the Olds College Brewery is set to conclude operations in June 2026.
The suspension of the program and closure of the Olds College Brewery will regrettably lead to job losses and/or other employment impacts at the College — nine staff members are directly affected. Olds College is committed to providing dedicated support to staff during this difficult transition.
“We’re deeply sorry to announce the official suspension of the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program, and close the Olds College Brewery in June due to the downward trend of the craft beer industry and low enrolment,” says Dennis Beaudoin, Dean, School of Trades & Skills, Olds College. “After carefully weighing enrolment trends and the needs of our workforce, this decision is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability, strength and focus of Olds College. We remain committed to growing programming at Olds College, specifically in Alberta’s agricultural industry to address the skilled labour shortage.”
Olds College realizes the current two-year Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations diploma program is no longer serving the immediate needs of students; however, the College is exploring opportunities that might better serve future students interested in pursuing careers in the craft beverage sector. For example, Industry Training & Continuing Education (ITCE) at Olds College currently offers two continuing education courses, Introduction to Craft Beverages and Brewing and Craft Distilling, that will both remain unaffected.
While the closure of the brewery and program are regrettable, the College remains focused on its top three strategic priorities of purposeful leadership in agricultural education, supporting its students and people, and strengthening partnerships.
“While we remain committed to our institutional priorities and providing high-quality education, the decision to suspend the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program and close the brewery is a difficult one,” says Dalin Bullock, Vice President, Academic, Olds College. “Decreasing enrolment trends have led us to this point, but we do not overlook the impact this closure has on our community and the pride we took in our brewery. We thank everyone who has supported this program and the brewery over the past 13 years. Our focus at the College right now is supporting everyone during this transition.”
Olds College acknowledges the brewery is currently housed inside Wilson Hall, which is an important legacy to Erma and Roy Wilson. The College leadership team is working to ensure their profound dedication and contributions to the College community remain a top focus on campus. Olds College will continue to update the community as more decisions are finalized in regards to the building, products and all other equipment.
The Olds College Brewery will remain open for sales until June 2026, and the brewery team encourages everyone to stop by, say hello and support its final season of brewing.
