Olds College to close brewery, suspend craft beverage program citing industry decline

A long-running Alberta brewing program is heading for last call later this year.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology announced Friday it will permanently suspend its Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations diploma and close the Olds College Brewery in June, citing shrinking enrolment tied to a downturn in the craft beer industry.

The decision follows the college’s earlier move to halt new student intake in February 2025. Administrators say the continued slide in industry demand has made the program unsustainable.

“Unfortunately, the craft beer industry has been on a downward trend for the last few years, which has resulted in significantly decreased student enrolment,” the college said in a statement.

Current students, now in their final year, will be able to complete the diploma, with instructors teaching out the remaining courses until April 2026. No new students have been admitted since fall 2025.

The closure will have direct employment impacts on campus. Nine staff members from the program and the brewery are affected, according to the college.

Dennis Beaudoin, dean of the School of Trades & Skills, said the college made the decision only after “carefully weighing enrolment trends and the needs of our workforce,” adding that the move is intended to protect the institution’s long-term sustainability.

Since opening in 2013, the brewery has served as a training ground for students learning the craft of brewing.

With the program now fully suspended, the brewery will wind down operations over the next year and close its doors in June 2026. Retail beer sales will continue until then.

The college says it is exploring new ways to support students interested in the craft beverage sector. Two continuing education courses, Introduction to Craft Beverages and Brewing and Craft Distilling, will continue unaffected under the Industry Training & Continuing Education department.