Gilgamesh Brewing’s Terry Porter Beer Raises $50K for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

PORTLAND, Oregon (May 10, 2016) – Today Gilgamesh Brewing and its distribution partner Columbia Distributing, announced that the brewery’s limited-edition Terry Porter lived up to its namesake, becoming an instant Oregon favorite. Sales from the porter-style brew raised $50,000 for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The donation was recently presented to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation at its annual “Heart of Doernbecher” dinner and auction.

“This entire experience has been a dream come true,” said Gilgamesh’s Matt Radtke.  “We are so fortunate to be able to work with an Oregon legend, and utilize our growing business to generate a substantial donation to OHSU Doernbecher. We’re grateful for all of the support and contributions from the community, otherwise none of this could have happened. The success from the Terry Porter has inspired us to develop more collaborative charitable beers.”

“We are incredibly thankful to the team at Gilgamesh Brewing, as well as the members of the community who took part in this unique fundraising opportunity,” said Jim Ervin, Executive Director, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This generous gift will provide hope and support to the patients and families of OHSU Doernbecher for many years to come.”

The donation will assist the missions of the OHSU and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to fund a five-story guest house facility at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) South Waterfront campus. The project will provide housing for patients and families receiving care at OHSU and OHSU Doernbecher.

Retired NBA player and new University of Portland coach Terry Porter is also a Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation board member. He was quick to embrace the concept of the Terry Porter brew and dedicated himself to the entire project, from brewing the first batch to attending many release parties around the state. “I couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” said Porter. “I’m sincerely grateful for everyone getting behind this in such a huge way. Beer fans, Gilgamesh fans, my fans…they all stepped up.”

Columbia Distributing’s Oregon President Mark Walen saw the beer’s potential and was still amazed by the result. “This was truly a community movement. A sports legend, a craft beer and a good cause was the perfect intersection for an incredible opportunity and Gilgamesh nailed it. We couldn’t be happier to have a small hand in the Terry Porter’s success.”

About Gilgamesh Brewing:
Once located in the woods of Turner, Oregon, Gilgamesh Brewing has expanded and moved into a new facility in South Salem on Madrona Avenue. The three Radtke brothers, and their father, Lee, spent the summer of 2012 recreating a former grass seed warehouse into a full scale brewery. They also transformed the warehouse office building into a handcrafted restaurant featuring custom woodwork and metal fabrication. Pringle Creek runs along the covered back patio which opens up into the property’s large back yard creating a nice ambiance. The Gilgamesh motto is “a beer for everyone” and the range of selection provides the delicious proof.
More at gilgameshbrewing.com.

About Columbia Distributing:
Columbia Distributing is one of the nation’s finest beer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverage distributors. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company has been delivering the best-known brands in the beverage business since 1935. Today Columbia Distributing and its 3,000+ employees service over 20,000 retail customers covering more than 135,000 square miles in Oregon, Washington and California. The company’s success is based on the deep-rooted tradition of delivering quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for customers’ needs.
More at coldist.com.