Gilgamesh Beer: Where To Buy The Ancient Brew

Gilgamesh Brewing is a family-owned brewery in Salem, Oregon, established in 2009 by Lee Radtke and his three sons, Mike, Nick, and Matt. The Radtke family were home-brewing enthusiasts who decided to turn their hobby into a business after winning the people's choice award for their flagship ale Mamba at three consecutive Oregon beer festivals. The brewery has since expanded to a 2.5-acre location with a restaurant and patio. While Gilgamesh beers are primarily distributed in and around Salem, they can also be found at select locations across the United States, including in Oregon and on BeerMenus.com.

Where to buy Gilgamesh beer

Gilgamesh Brewing's history

Gilgamesh Brewing is a family-owned brewery in Salem, Oregon, established in 2009. The brewery was founded by Lee Radtke and his three sons, Mike, Nick, and Matt, who shared a passion for home brewing. The Radtke family has lived in the area since the 1970s, and their hobby soon turned into a successful business venture.

The name 'Gilgamesh Brewing' is inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient text often cited as an early source for beer brewing and use. The brewery's flagship ale, Mamba (formerly known as Black Mamba), helped put Gilgamesh on the map, winning the people's choice award at three consecutive Oregon beer festivals.

Gilgamesh Brewing initially set up a small seven-barrel production facility in Turner, Oregon, in Lee Radtke's woodworking shop. However, due to increasing demand, they soon outgrew this space and relocated to a larger 18,000 sq. ft. location on Madrona Avenue in downtown Salem in 2012. This new site included a restaurant and pub, allowing Gilgamesh to expand its offerings and establish itself as a popular craft beer destination.

The brewery's current location is a spacious 2.5-acre property in SE Salem, known as 'The Campus.' It boasts a high-efficiency 20-hectoliter production brewery, a full restaurant with a patio adjacent to Pringle Creek, and a large events yard. Gilgamesh Brewing continues to innovate and experiment with new beer styles, distributing its unique craft beers primarily in and around Salem, Oregon.

Where to buy Gilgamesh beer

Gilgamesh Brewing is a family-owned brewery in Salem, Oregon, that was established in 2009. The brewery was founded by Lee Radtke and his three sons, Mike, Nick, and Matt, who turned their home-brewing hobby into a business.

Gilgamesh beers are distributed primarily in and around Salem. The initial brewery location was at 210 Liberty Street SE, Suite 150, Salem, Oregon, but in late 2012, the brewery relocated to a new 18,000 sq. ft. location on Madrona Avenue, with a restaurant and pub. The current location of Gilgamesh Brewing is on a spacious 2.5-acre site in SE Salem, known as The Campus, which includes a large events yard, a high-efficiency production brewery, and a full restaurant with a patio adjacent to Pringle Creek.

Gilgamesh beers were available at the Winter Ale House at the Reed Opera House. The website also mentions that online orders are coming soon, and each of their locations has year-round brews and limited seasonal creations.

The BeerMenus website lists several varieties of beer from Gilgamesh Brewing, including Mamba (formerly known as Black Mamba), DJ Jazzy Hef, Vader Black IPA, Classic Lager, Hop Scotch, Mega Monster, Shiitake Bock, and several others. However, when trying to find places to buy these beers, the website states that there are currently no nearby places listed that offer these beers.

The company's name origin

The name of the company, Gilgamesh Brewing, is derived from the Epic of Gilgamesh, often cited as an early source for beer brewing and consumption. The Radtke family, who founded the company, were long-time home-brewing enthusiasts before they established the company in 2009. Lee Radtke and his three sons, Mike, Nick, and Matt, started the business in Turner, Oregon, before expanding to downtown Salem. After three years, Gilgamesh moved to its current location in SE Salem, which spans 2.5 acres and includes a large events yard, a high-efficiency production brewery, and a full-service restaurant with a patio adjacent to Pringle Creek.

The Radtke family's journey into the beer business began with their shared hobby, which they turned into a successful family enterprise. Their flagship ale, Mamba (formerly known as Black Mamba), won the people's choice award at three consecutive Oregon beer festivals, marking a pivotal moment in the family's decision to commercialize their passion. The Radtkes transformed a section of Lee's woodworking shop in Turner, Oregon, into a small seven-barrel production facility, laying the foundation for what would become the beloved Gilgamesh Brewing.

The name Gilgamesh itself carries a rich history, evoking the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature. The epic poem tells the story of Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk in ancient Mesopotamia, and his quest for immortality after the death of his friend Enkidu. While the poem covers various themes, one notable aspect is its reference to beer. In the epic, beer is mentioned as a beverage enjoyed by both the gods and humans, highlighting its significance in ancient times.

By naming their company Gilgamesh Brewing, the Radtke family pays homage to the ancient roots of beer brewing and consumption. The choice of name reflects their appreciation for the rich history and cultural significance of beer, which has been a part of human civilization for millennia. The Radtkes' decision to draw inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh showcases their respect for the craft and the beverage's enduring place in human culture and community.

The brewing process

The brewing system includes a mash press with a series of filters, which not only increases productivity but also prevents stuck mashes, allowing the brewers to experiment with different styles. This unique system also saves 30% more water than standard breweries, with an average of 98% grain efficiency.

An important part of their process is the flash pasteurizer, which is used for all low IBU beers to increase stability and shelf life. The beer is pasteurized at a specific temperature, heated to 160 degrees, and then cooled to 34 degrees in just 18 seconds. This process is so precise that taste tests before and after show no variation in flavour.

The beers themselves are crafted with a range of interesting ingredients, from black tea and tangerine zest to jasmine tea and local Oregon hazelnuts. Their standard offerings include a range of styles, from light-bodied hefeweizens to hop-backed Scotch ales and IPAs.

The Radtke family's passion for brewing has resulted in a creative and dynamic range of beers, with a brewing process that is both innovative and environmentally conscious.

Seasonal and year-round brews

Gilgamesh Brewing offers seasonal and year-round brews at each of its locations. The brewers are always busy creating new beers, so there is always something new to try. The company was started by the Radtke brothers, Mike, Nick, and Matt, along with their father Lee, who turned their home-brewing hobby into a family business. They now have a 2.5-acre location in SE Salem, called The Campus, which includes a large events yard, a high-efficiency production brewery, and a full-service restaurant with a patio.

The flagship beer of Gilgamesh Brewing is Mamba (formerly known as Black Mamba), which won the People's Choice Award at three consecutive Oregon beer festivals. It is a complex hopless brew with a light yet slightly sweet and spicy body. It is brewed with black tea, a hint of tangerine zest, and rye, creating a unique and aromatic drinking experience.

In addition to Mamba, Gilgamesh offers a wide range of seasonal and year-round brews, including the DJ Jazzy Hef, a spiced beer with a 5.4% ABV. This beer is an American-style Hefeweizen brewed with organic ingredients and a generous amount of jasmine tea, giving it a light body and a pleasant jasmine aroma. For those who enjoy darker beers, the Vader Black IPA is a light, sweet, and bitter beer with a 6.7% ABV.

Another year-round option is the Classic Lager, a pale lager with a 4.5% ABV. On the stronger side is the Hop Scotch, a heavy Scotch Ale with an 8.0% ABV. This beer has a pleasantly dark, warm, and malty body, with a floral aroma from the additional hops added during fermentation. For those who enjoy their beers even stronger, the Mega Monster, an American Strong Ale, comes in at 9.8% ABV.

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