Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy -- Beer Info

Siebel Brewing Courses
The courses of the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy cover the full spectrum of brewing science and technology. With over 20 courses and programs, we offer more brewing-specific training than any other school in the world. We feature world-class courses at our educational facilities in Chicago, Montreal, Munich, and Durango, Colorado, and we offer the industry's best web-based training programs.

The links below will take you to detailed pages for each of our courses and programs. If you have any questions about which course or program would be best for you, we would be happy to work with you to build an educational path that helps you meet your career aspirations and business objectives. We have over 130 years of experience in helping professional brewers achieve their dreams. For any questions about our courses, contact Keith Lemcke, Vice-President of Siebel Institute at klemcke@siebelinstitute.com.

WBA Master Brewer Program

Siebel Institute Executive Draught Skills

History
Dr. John Ewald Siebel founded the Zymotechnic Institute in 1868. He was born on September 17, 1845, near Wermelskirchen in the district of Dusseldorf, Germany. He studied physics and chemistry and earned his doctorate at the University of Berlin before moving to Chicago 1866. In 1868 he opened John E. Siebel's Chemical Laboratory which soon developed into a research station and school for the brewing sciences.

In 1872, as the company moved into new facilities on Belden Avenue on the north side of Chicago, the name was changed to the Siebel Institute of Technology. During the next two decades, Dr. Siebel conducted extensive brewing research and wrote most of his over 200 books and scientific articles. He was also the editor of a number of technical publications including the scientific section of The Western Brewer, 100 Years of Brewing and Ice and Refrigeration.

In 1882 he started a scientific school for brewers with another progressive brewer but the partnership was short lived. Dr. Siebel did, however, continue brewing instruction at his laboratory. The business expanded in the 1890's when two of Dr. Siebel's sons joined the company. The company was incorporated in 1901 and conducted brewing courses in both English and German. By 1907 there were five regular courses: a six-month Brewers' Course, a two-month Post Graduate Course, a three-month Engineers' Course, a two-month Maltsters' Course and a two-month Bottlers' Course. In 1910, the school's name, Siebel Institute of Technology, was formally adopted. With the approach of prohibition, the Institute diversified and added courses in baking, refrigeration, engineering, milling, carbonated beverages and other related topics. On December 20, 1919, just twenty-seven days before prohibition became effective, Dr. J. E. Siebel passed away.

With the repeal of prohibition in 1933 the focus of the Institute returned to brewing under the leadership of F. P. Siebel Sr., the eldest son of Dr. J. E. Siebel. His sons, Fred and Ray, soon joined the business and worked to expand its scope. The Diploma Course in Brewing Technology was offered and all other non-brewing courses were soon eliminated. Then in October 1952, the Institute moved to its brand new, custom built facilities on Peterson Avenue where we have remained for almost 50 years.

The fourth generation, represented by Ron and Bill Siebel, joined the Institute in the 1960's. In 1974, they helped introduce the concept of shorter courses. These courses, at two weeks or less in length, were designed to meet the specific training needs of a changing brewing industry. The longer Diploma Course in Brewing Technology has been maintained to this day as the in-depth course of study for the experienced brewer who wishes to maximize his career training.

Throughout this past century, the Institute has attracted an extensive global following. Our alumni span more than 60 countries and are found in almost every major brewery on earth. Our classes include a mix of participants from breweries of all sizes who hail from locations all over the world. This broad base of participants enhances the learning opportunity of each student by exposing them to differences in culture, equipment, methods and beer styles. In our formal lectures and demonstrations though, we focus their attention on one common theme: beer. Students may come to the Institute with the biases of their own particular brewing environment, but they all leave in the simple and honest camaraderie of being a brewer. We have a saying here at the Institute: "Not only do we teach our students, but we also help them to teach each other."

The Institute continues to focus on one basic theme as was published by Dr. J. E. Siebel in an ad in an 1893 Western Brewer. He stated, "The object of the Institute is to promote the progress of the industries based on fermentation, which is done by instruction, investigation, analysis and otherwise." The Institute thrives on research and constant improvement. In August 2008, the Siebel Institute of Technology moved into its new campus facilities at 1777 North Clybourn Avenue across from Goose Island Brewpub on North Clybourn in Chicago. Located in the heart of the bustling Lincoln Park district, Goose Island has become one of the largest regional breweries in America, operating two brewpubs and one large packaging brewery in the Chicago area. The new Siebel Institute campus has incorporated many of the elements of the previous Peterson Avenue location, including the bar and furnishings from the famous Bier Stube, a favorite spot where students socialized after a hard day’s study.

The Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy have been an important part of international brewing history for over 130 years, and we look forward to welcoming the future generations of brewers to our new home in the heart of Chicago.