Siebel Institute of Technology

Throughout the last 140 years, the Siebel 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."

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.

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.

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.

In 2013, the Siebel Institute of Technology moved into its new campus facilities at 900 N. North Branch St. in the facilities of Kendall College in Chicago. The new Siebel Institute campus has incorporated many of the elements of our previous locations including the bar and furnishings from the famous Bier Stube, a favorite spot where students socialized after a hard day’s study.