Olds, AB (Rural Roots Canada) – Olds College in Olds, Alberta, has ended its Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program and will close the Olds College Brewery in June.
In a release, the college says the craft beer industry has been on a downward trend over the last few years, resulting in a decline in program enrolment. It suspended student intake in the program in February 2025.
Students currently enrolled in the diploma program are in their final year and will complete their studies and graduate. Program instructors will finish out the academic year ending in April. The Olds College Brewery will remain “as a learning enterprise for these students until the end of the academic year.”
The Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program launched in 2013. With the ending of the program and the closing of the brewery, nine staff members will be out of a job. Olds College says it’s committed to providing support to those staff members during the transition.
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“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,” says Dennis Beaudoin, Dean, School of Trades & Skills at Olds College. “We remain committed to growing programming at Olds College, specifically in Alberta’s agricultural industry, to address the skilled labour shortage.”
The college will continue to offer two continuing education courses for students interested in pursuing careers in the craft beer sector.
“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, at 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.”
Olds College says it will continue to update the community as more decisions are finalized regarding the building, product, and equipment.
