Canada's first college brewmaster program launched

Olds College is launching Canadas first ever national post-secondary brewmaster program.

The southern Alberta school has partnered with Niagara College in Ontario for the two-year degree that will train students to become expert beer makers.

The Niagara CollegeFood and Wine Institute will share its expertise in the beverage arts with Olds College to create the brewmaster diploma.

The new program is long overdue, according to some in the industry.

Lee Hanson, assistant general manager at J Webb Wine Merchant, says beer tastes are changing and more than ever, the beverage is big business.

"I think its fantastic to see a college like Olds taking that step.Theres a need for skilled brewmasters."

Experienced brewmasters needed

Calgarys Village brewery is just several months old, but co-founder Jim Button went to great lengths to hire an experienced brewmaster when building his key staff.

"I think the idea that people are able to get an education, a formal education in the process is actually quite brilliant."

Larry Kerwin is Village Brewerys man.With more than 40 years in beverage-making, Kerwin recently retiredor meant to after decades at Molson, and Calgarys Big Rock Brewery.

"Its a real positive step for the Canadian industry. Especially now that number of craft breweries are increasing. Theres a real demand for trained brewers for the industry."

Brewing 101

The Olds College program will also create Canadas first "teaching brewery" in Western Canada, because theres more to making good beer than just adding hops to barley brewing is a science.

"The brewmaster is the technical person responsible for making beer. You need a good understanding of biochemistry and microbiology," says Kerwin.

Craft breweries becoming more popular

As Jim Buttons industrygrowshe says it is shifting towards more variety, complexity of taste and smaller-batch craft brews.

That means having trained brewmasters is even more important, because customers want good, drinkable beer for their celebrations and events.

"You could say to someone, Come help me move andIll buy you beer,' and theyll go 'Great, Ill help you move. If I said to you, Come help me move, Ill give you $8.75 plus deposit,' you probably wouldnt come help me move," explains Button.

"But the fact you say 'beer' its all the other things, its sitting around having a chat, its being with friends, its being together."