World-renowned U.S. brewing school moving to Canada due to Trump policies
The Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy, a prestigious brewing school based in the U.S., has decided to pack up and move north.
After educating the world’s burgeoning brewers in Chicago, Illinois, since 1872, the Siebel Institute of Technology announced its “strategic relocation” to Montreal effective Jan. 1, 2026.
In a post on Facebook last week, the institute said it took into consideration operational costs, industry trends, and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on policies surrounding student visas.
“Maintaining the quality of education while keeping Siebel Institute and World Brewing Academy offerings affordable was key for us,” stated John Hannafan, general manager and director of education at the institute.
“Recent regulatory changes in the U.S. have made it much more challenging for many of our international students, who have become the majority of our student body, to attend classes in person. This relocation of North America classroom operations to Montreal allows us to pivot without sacrificing the student experience.”
In October, The New York Times reported that the number of international students arriving in the U.S. in August fell by 19 per cent compared to last year. This is the most significant drop on record outside of the pandemic.
This comes amid visa application challenges, including delays, denials and overall more scrutiny of student visas under the Trump administration.
The Siebel Institute’s move to Montreal comes amid the trade war between Canada and the U.S.
According to the brewing school’s statement, its new location will be near Molson Brewery’s original site, the oldest brewery in North America. It will be co-located with the new Lallemand Baking Academy and Application Technology Training Facility.
Siebel Institute of Technology & World Brewing Academy/Facebook
Siebel Institute said the new facility in Montreal will “offer a unique opportunity to integrate brewing and baking education under one roof.”
“Montreal itself provides a vibrant, safe, and culturally rich environment for students, with world-class amenities and a thriving food and beverage scene,” reads the post.
Trump’s policies have not only affected international students but also workers. In September, the White House introduced a new H-1B visa application fee of US$100,000 that shook workers, companies and major economies.