A Wisconsin brewery known for its outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump is facing the loss of its alcohol permits after state regulators moved to revoke its licenses, prompting the owner to accuse officials of targeting the business for its political views.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has issued notices to revoke permits held by the Minocqua Brewing Company, with owner Kirk Bangstad saying the business could be forced to stop operating if the action is upheld. According to a newsletter Bangstad published on Sunday, the brewery has until August 4 to appeal the decision.
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Bangstad, who describes Minocqua Brewing Company as “the state’s most progressive brewery,” said he intends to challenge the state’s move in court and has asked supporters to contribute to the brewery’s legal defense fund.
“We need all the money we can get to sue the Department of Revenue and stay in business,” Bangstad wrote in an email to The Independent.
In his newsletter, he vowed to continue fighting the revocation.
“As you can imagine, I’m not taking this lying down,” he wrote. “We’re going to fight the state of Wisconsin tooth and nail, and once again, they’ll have to pry me out of my taprooms before I stop selling beer to thirsty progressives who come to visit us.”
Bangstad also disputed the violations cited by the DOR’s Division of Alcohol Beverages, arguing that the alleged infractions were minor and did not justify revoking the brewery’s permits.
The company operates locations in Madison and Minocqua and can continue operating while the appeal process is underway.
In a statement to The Independent, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue said enforcement actions are based on compliance with state alcohol laws.
“The Division of Alcohol Beverages is dedicated to the fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverages regulations in Wisconsin. The division is required to follow and implement state law, including ensuring permit holders and licensees follow all applicable laws and regulations. The division takes appropriate actions when these laws are not followed.
“We can confirm that the Department of Revenue has issued notice of a Brewer’s permit revocation for two Minocqua Brewing Company locations and notice of an Alcohol Beverage Warehouse permit revocation for one location. The business has until August 4th to appeal and can operate during the appeal process,” the statement concluded.
Bangstad has maintained that the state’s actions may be politically motivated, saying his outspoken criticism of Trump could be behind the enforcement effort rather than the alleged regulatory violations.
“Everyone reading this, Democrat or Republican, should recoil at the thought of a small and thriving business being destroyed by their state government over such small violations—especially a brewery in the state of Wisconsin!” he said.
The brewery has previously drawn national attention for controversial social media posts. In January, it published a message promising free beer if Trump were to die, although the post did not mention the president by name.
“Free beer, all day long the day he dies,” the post stated. “Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise.”
The brewery later clarified that the promotion would apply at its Madison taproom year-round, or at its Minocqua location during the summer.
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Following reports of gunfire during an event attended by Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, the brewery’s Facebook page posted, “Well, we almost got #freebeerday.”
In another Substack post published Wednesday, Bangstad said he responded to an inquiry from Fox News Digital with another joke, this time offering half-price beer in honor of former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who was recently hospitalized.
Ending his message to supporters, Bangstad wrote: “Together, we’ll get to the bottom of who’s trying to put us out of business and silence our voice in Wisconsin—one beer at a time.”