Siebel Institute of Technology - Chicago, Illinois

Bob W.

any place that produces BOB WERKOVITZ - the advisor to the BOULEVARD BREWERY owner JOHN McDonald - is On MY "a list" (p.s. i was BORN in CHICAGO )

Dan B.

The Siebel Institute has been a leading institution for learning in the brewing industry for over a century. I found their reputation for excellence well-earned last year when I took the Concise Course in Brewing Technology. The instructors were all seasoned veterans from many different sizes of breweries, from AB InBev and MillerCoors to local Chicago craft breweries and brew pubs. The shear amount of information packed into the two week course was massive, covering everything from hop and barley growers, processors, maltsters, and the water in beer to the intricacies and processes of brewery operations for brewing, filtering, waste water management, filtration, packaging, evaluating, and distribution of beer, as well as yeast management and the biochemistry of beer from water composition to fermentation. And I've probably missed a good chunk of the topics covered.

If that sounds like a lot of information cramed into two week's time, it is. The thing to remember about the Concise Course is that the focus is upon exposure to and familiarization with the many moving parts that effect the brewing process and its final product, not a mastery of the details and processes or the acquisition of specific skills. It is an exercise in confirming what you already know about brewing while exposing you to all of the things you didn't even realize that you needed to know, which are likely many if you are in the early days of a career in brewing. You will not become a master brewer taking this course; Siebel offers other courses to teach and hone those skills. But by he end of the Concise Course you will have a clear understanding of what is required to become a master brewer and a better idea about how to chart your own personal journey accordingly.

Perhaps the greatest benefits of taking the Concise Course are the connections you will make with other students, as well as the joy of exploring Chicago's eclectic craft beer culture. People literally come from all over the world to study at the Siebel Institute, as well as from all across the United States. If you don't walk away from the Concise Course with at least a couple of life-long friends and a small network of brewing industry people you can reach out to in the future, that's definitely on you. It is a unique opportunity and well worth exploring for those interested.

Elmer M.

Nice brewing school

Kevin K.

Chris B.

anna P.

Neil M.

Seth K.