Gilgamesh Brewing Co-founder Michael Radtke Died

The local entrepreneur who expanded into food trucks and bistros passed away at 49.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Gilgamesh Brewing Co-founder Michael Radtke Died

Michael Radtke, co-founder of the Salem-based Gilgamesh Brewing, died on September 24, 2026, at the age of 49. His business portfolio included the brewery, the Tasty Trailer food truck, and Bistro Bocado.

Why it matters

The death of a founder often signals a transition point for family-run hospitality firms, particularly those currently navigating significant financial and operational restructuring. Radtke's business recently faced a $769,000 civil suit for unpaid rent and consolidated operations to a single location in Independence.

The company faced a $769,000 civil suit for unpaid rent in 2026, following an early 2025 auction of equipment from its Madrona Avenue facility due to lower sales. As of October 8, 2026, a public fundraiser for funeral expenses had secured $3,025 of its $6,500 goal.

The players

Michael Radtke

The deceased co-founder of Gilgamesh Brewing who helped build a series of regional taphouses and food concepts.

Gilgamesh Brewing

A Salem-based brewery operator that grew from a single site to a portfolio of bars and bistros before consolidating operations.

The details

The Radtke brothers built their hospitality footprint by expanding from a single brewery into a multi-venue operation, including The Woods bar and Bistro Bocado. These operations were later impacted by changing consumer habits, leading to equipment auctions and the closure of multiple sites. Today, only the Independence brewery remains active on the company website.

Michael Radtke died on September 24, 2026.
Equipment from the Madrona Avenue location was auctioned in early 2025.

Market Landscape

The firm's recent trajectory highlights the ongoing consolidation within the regional craft beverage industry as operators face tighter margins and shifting demand. This transition follows the 2025 equipment auction at the Madrona Avenue location, which signaled a shift away from high-overhead physical expansion.

Operators in the hospitality sector should review their own long-term lease obligations and debt structures, as founders' personal legal liabilities can often impact corporate solvency. Given the recent civil suit outcomes, monitor how similar regional businesses manage liabilities when rightsizing their physical footprint.

The takeaway

Founders must recognize how individual debt and legal exposure can trigger rapid corporate dissolution or asset liquidation. Owners should prioritize auditing their existing commercial lease agreements and personal liability protections to ensure the business remains shielded during leadership transitions.