Brewmaster & Brewery Operations Management

The popularity of craft brewing and their products, specialty beer-making workshops, and beer-tasting events continues to generate growth in the brewing scene and gives the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program broad spectrum appeal. The program targets a diverse range of enthusiasts and professionals who see this as a valuable career opportunity in a vibrant and continually evolving industry.

Learn the art, science and the business of brewing in our 2,300 square foot dedicated brewing facility. The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program provides hands-on training that includes researching and developing recipes, sourcing ingredients and conducting trial brews in our small pilot set-ups. Our Retail Outlet adjacent to the Teaching Brewery will provide you with the opportunity to connect with prospective customers.

What will you learn?

Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management students will receive a solid grounding in technical, analytical, and business skills developed under the direction of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute. In addition to the technical elements, students will also be taught the marketing and entrepreneurial skills that are critical for success in the world of brewing. Specific areas of study and skill development include:

Demonstrating the fundamental techniques of beer making
Demonstrating laboratory analysis of beer as required in a brewery
Selecting and using established techniques in marketing and public relations related to the beer industry
Discussing the history and evolution of the beer industry in relation to today's market
Identifying, selecting and utilizing process technology practices in brewery operations, packaging and handling

Evaluating the consistency and quality of beer
Determining beer style and characteristics
Discussing and applying business strategies related to brewery operations, including labour management, sales and government legislation
Formulating and developing beer recipes for the market place
Utilizing computer applications for brewery operations
Demonstrating effective communication and personal management skills in the workplace

View Program Details

Program Details

Credential: Diploma

Length of Program: 2 Years

Method of Delivery: Olds Campus

Program Intakes:

Fall Intake – September program start

Program Dates: Please visit our Dates & Schedules page to confirm start and end dates of your desired program and confirm campus closures.

Applications Open: October 1 for the Fall Intake

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details

Year 2: Tuition: $5,020 / Fees: $2,170 / Books & Supplies: $500
Year 1: Tuition: $5,020 / Fees: $2,165 / Books & Supplies: $1,000

* Please note that international students pay 3.5 times the domestic tuition amount. These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. All students should refer to the Fee Schedule for the most accurate information and all fees are subject to change.*

Admission Requirements:

Must be 18 years of age or older, on or before, September 1 of the Program Intake Year
50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
50% or better in Math 30-1 or 30-2
50% or better in Biology 20, OR Chemistry 20, OR Science 20
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
Portfolio Submission
- Provide a letter outlining the reasons for your interest in this program, your career objectives and explain why you would be an ideal candidate for this program. Keep in mind that this program combines classroom, applied learning and fieldwork.
- A resume detailing education, work experience, activities, interests, etc.
- Submit your responses to the 3 questions below:
  - Describe how a diploma in Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program will help you reach your personal and professional goals.
  - The Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management diploma program is academically rigorous and demanding from a practical perspective but also rewarding. Please comment on personal attributes and experiences that are reflective of your capacity for learning and your ability to successfully complete this program.
  - Describe any experience and/or background research that you have completed within the brewing industry?

Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrolment and any available interim/ mid term 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.

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. Further information can be found on our website under International Students.

Admitted Students Information

Program Dates

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.

Class Registration

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.

Technology Recommendation

It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A device capable of running Microsoft Office, preferably a laptop

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:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The following are required to be purchased prior to the start of your program

CSA approved leather or rubber work boots (steel-toed, steel-shanked)
CSA approved safety glasses
Long rubber or synthetic gloves (preferably unlined), chemical and heat resistant
pH meter (pen-type)
Thermometer (digital)
Refractometer

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:

One brewery work shirt with Olds College Brewery Crest

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 other 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.

Textbook Order Form

Other Important Information:

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