Olds College students to graduate with a diploma—in beer

CALGARY- It’s safe to say most college students joke that they graduated with a diploma in ‘beer’—now, some in Alberta actually will.

A first in western Canada, Olds College is now offering a two-year Brewmaster diploma program dedicated to brewing.

So far, 26 students have signed up to learn the fine art of making a cold one, as well as the business side of it.

“There are always those misconceptions that beer school is non-stop drinking and partying, and it’s actually quite the opposite of that,” says instructor Duncan Britton.

Students agree, saying for them it’s more of an art.

“I’ve always been kind of interested where artistry and skilled trades intersect, and I’m a lousy tattoo artist and brewing really jumped out at me,” jokes student Andy Innes.

“You have it to celebrate, to toast your friends, or you have a tough day and to wind down you go and grab a beer,” adds student Jason Armitage. “It’s kind of the go-to beverage. You can pair it with food, it’s versatile.”

A surge of craft and microbreweries are already approaching the school, looking to hire grads.

“There are piles of pent up demand, not just in this province, but we’re getting expressions of interest from across Canada and most certainly in the United States,” explains Peter Johnston-Berresford from Olds College.

The teaching brewery is one of only two in Canada, and there are just six across the continent.