Wisconsin officials have revoked the operating permit for Minocqua Brewing Company, a brewery known for its anti-Donald Trump social media posts. The revocation, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, is set to take effect on August 4, impacting the brewery's locations in Madison and Minocqua.
Kirk Bangstad, the owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, stated he intends to contest the decision vigorously. "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 wrote in a newsletter to supporters.
According to a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the division is committed to the consistent enforcement of state alcohol beverage regulations and takes action when laws are not followed. The spokesperson confirmed that notices of permit revocation were issued for two Minocqua Brewing Company locations and one alcohol beverage warehouse permit. The business has the option to appeal the decision, with the initial appeal going to the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, who will then assign a hearing examiner.
State regulators pursued the permit revocation after authorities seized canned beer from the company in June. The seizure was reportedly due to allegations that the beer had been transported from Illinois without the necessary permits and taxes. Bangstad has criticized this action, calling it an excessive response to alleged tax violations that do not warrant shutting down his business.
The brewery has a history of provocative social media activity. In January, a post on the Minocqua Brewing Company's Facebook page suggested offering free beer on the day of Donald Trump's death. The post was later updated to specify which taproom would offer the promotion and, in replies to comments, alluded to the possibility of the event being moved up if certain actions were taken.
Following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Trump attended, the company posted, "Well, we almost got #freebeerday." The post further suggested that either an individual needed to improve their marksmanship or that Trump had faked the event for positive media coverage, adding, "We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens."
Bangstad is also the founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC, an organization that aims to remove Republican elected officials who he states perpetuated false claims about the 2020 election and downplayed the severity of COVID-19. When reached for comment, Bangstad reportedly made jokes about the deaths of public figures and disparaging remarks about Fox News.