Chicago's Brewing Heart Leaves: Siebel Institute Relocates to Montreal Amid Industry Shifts and Visa Challenges.
After over a century of shaping brewmasters from around the world, the iconic Siebel Institute of Technology announced a move that has sent shockwaves through the Chicago brewing community. As of January 1, 2026, the esteemed institution will relocate its operations to Montreal, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in the city's rich history.
Established in 1872, the school was once home to many prominent beer company founders who went on to become household names in American brewing. Its archives are said to contain some of the most historic class pictures from legendary breweries such as Pabst and Coors, serving as a testament to its profound impact on the industry.
Industry insiders, including Liz Garibay, founder of the Beer Culture Center, describe the news with dismay, labeling it "a kick in the gut for beer history and Chicago." Hagen Dost, co-owner of Dovetail Brewery, echoes this sentiment, stating that the school's departure is not just a loss for his own brewery but also a devastating blow to an American institution that has been instrumental in shaping the country's brewing culture.
While Garibay attributes part of the decision to increased student visa challenges under President Donald Trump's administration, Dost emphasizes the fundamental issue at play: visas. As an international school educating brewmasters from diverse backgrounds, the Siebel Institute faces significant hurdles in maintaining its operations within the U.S.
Sam Toia, executive director of the Illinois Restaurant Association, has expressed concern over the economic implications of the relocation, framing Chicago as the "culinary capital of the United States." Mayor Brandon Johnson's office remains silent on the matter, leaving Dost to express his outrage at what he perceives as an administration that demonizes outsiders and is now forcing a critical component of American industry to fight for survival.
For those who have been touched by the Siebel Institute's legacy, the decision comes as a bitter pill to swallow. As the news settles in, one thing is clear: Chicago will no longer be home to the nation's oldest brewing school, leaving behind a void that will take years to fill.
After over a century of shaping brewmasters from around the world, the iconic Siebel Institute of Technology announced a move that has sent shockwaves through the Chicago brewing community. As of January 1, 2026, the esteemed institution will relocate its operations to Montreal, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in the city's rich history.
Established in 1872, the school was once home to many prominent beer company founders who went on to become household names in American brewing. Its archives are said to contain some of the most historic class pictures from legendary breweries such as Pabst and Coors, serving as a testament to its profound impact on the industry.
Industry insiders, including Liz Garibay, founder of the Beer Culture Center, describe the news with dismay, labeling it "a kick in the gut for beer history and Chicago." Hagen Dost, co-owner of Dovetail Brewery, echoes this sentiment, stating that the school's departure is not just a loss for his own brewery but also a devastating blow to an American institution that has been instrumental in shaping the country's brewing culture.
While Garibay attributes part of the decision to increased student visa challenges under President Donald Trump's administration, Dost emphasizes the fundamental issue at play: visas. As an international school educating brewmasters from diverse backgrounds, the Siebel Institute faces significant hurdles in maintaining its operations within the U.S.
Sam Toia, executive director of the Illinois Restaurant Association, has expressed concern over the economic implications of the relocation, framing Chicago as the "culinary capital of the United States." Mayor Brandon Johnson's office remains silent on the matter, leaving Dost to express his outrage at what he perceives as an administration that demonizes outsiders and is now forcing a critical component of American industry to fight for survival.
For those who have been touched by the Siebel Institute's legacy, the decision comes as a bitter pill to swallow. As the news settles in, one thing is clear: Chicago will no longer be home to the nation's oldest brewing school, leaving behind a void that will take years to fill.
... like chicago has so much history and it feels like they're just letting go of something really special 
... i mean the siebel institute has been around for over 150 years which is crazy 
and its loss will be felt far beyond the brewing community... i feel bad for hagen dost and liz garibay, they must be devastated 
... chicago is definitely going to miss that piece of history 
I'm so done with this move lol... but on the other hand, I think it's kinda cool that they're expanding their reach and all that 
. Chicago is gonna miss its brew masters tho... but at the same time, Montreal is like, a great city for beer enthusiasts or whatever 
. It's not like the Siebel Institute wasn't already super global anyway 
. I guess what really gets me is the visa stuff... that's just messed up 
. But on another note, have you seen the pics of Pabst and Coors founders in those archives? iconic 
siebel institute has been part of chicago history for over 150 years and now it's just gonna leave like that... doesn't make sense to me 
they're not even talking about the economic impact on chicago... should be a bigger deal 
what's next? The Art Institute of Chicago relocating to Mexico City? 
just kidding, but seriously, who knew the Siebel Institute's relocation would send shockwaves through the city's brewing community? It's like losing a piece of our heritage... or in this case, our beer history. 
can't help but wonder if it's all about those pesky student visa challenges 
. might as well say goodbye to that iconic "World's Best Beer City" badge 
It feels like a lot of pressure from the government and industry is making them leave. I guess it's not surprising that people are upset, though - this school has been around for over 100 years and has some serious history behind it. 
It's like, what's happening to our craft beer culture?! 
I mean, can you imagine if this happened to Harvard or Yale? 
The impact on the Chicago brewing community will be felt for years to come. Stats show that 75% of craft breweries in the US rely on international students for talent acquisition 
. This move is a wake-up call for our country's immigration policies. Visas are just one part of the problem, but it's a big one 
. The economic implications will be real too... did you know that every dollar invested in craft beer generates $5 in GDP? 
. And now we're left wondering what's going to happen to all those breweries that were trained by them... does this mean Chicago is just going to lose its brewing identity altogether? I'm not buying the "Chicago as culinary capital" thing, that feels like a cop-out to me 
.