A Wisconsin brewery that repeatedly mocked President Donald Trump on social media, including promising customers “free beer” on the day of his death, is now facing a far more immediate challenge: losing its licence to operate in the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has revoked brewing permits for Minocqua Brewing Company, setting up another legal battle between the outspoken brewery owner and state regulators. While owner Kirk Bangstad argues the move is politically motivated, state officials say the action stems from tax and permitting violations, not the company’s political messaging.
The dispute has quickly gained national attention because of the brewery’s provocative anti-Trump campaigns, raising questions about where political expression ends and regulatory enforcement begins.
Why did Wisconsin revoke Minocqua Brewing Company’s licence?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Minocqua Brewing Company received notice that its brewer’s permits for two locations, along with an alcohol beverage warehouse permit, have been revoked.
The revocation is scheduled to take effect on August 4 unless Bangstad successfully appeals the decision to the department’s secretary.
State officials have not suggested the brewery’s political views played any role in the enforcement action. Instead, reports indicate regulators cited licensing and tax compliance issues involving canned beer imported from Illinois.
Alleged tax violations
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Department of Revenue alleges that the brewery:
- Failed to obtain required permits for certain operations.
- Did not pay taxes on canned beer acquired from Illinois.
- Had beer seized during an enforcement action in June.
These alleged violations formed the basis for revoking the brewery’s operating permits.
The Department of Revenue confirmed only that revocation notices had been issued and that the brewery retains the right to appeal before the order becomes effective.
Why is Minocqua Brewing Company making headlines?
The Wisconsin brewery has built a national reputation that extends well beyond craft beer.
Rather than avoiding politics, owner Kirk Bangstad has embraced progressive activism, frequently using the brewery’s social media platforms to criticize Donald Trump, Republicans, and immigration enforcement policies.
That strategy has earned both loyal supporters and vocal critics, transforming the brewery into one of the country’s most politically recognizable beer brands.
The “free beer” promise
In January, the brewery posted on social media that customers would receive “free beer, all day long” on the day a “high-profile figure” died.
Although the post never explicitly named Donald Trump, commenters overwhelmingly interpreted the message as referring to the president.
The brewery later suggested in replies that the unnamed individual was indeed a “high-profile figure,” further fueling public speculation.
Post after White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
The brewery drew even greater criticism after an April shooting incident connected to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
It posted on Facebook:
“Well, we almost got #freebeerday.”
The company also questioned whether the incident represented an assassination attempt or was staged, comments that generated widespread backlash online.
How is the brewery owner responding?
Bangstad says he intends to challenge the state’s decision aggressively.
In a newsletter and subsequent Substack post, he argued that Wisconsin officials are unfairly targeting his business and pledged to continue operating for his customers.
He wrote that authorities would have to “pry me out of my taprooms” before he stopped serving customers.
The brewery owner is also seeking public donations to help finance the expected legal battle.
According to Bangstad, previous disputes with state authorities have resulted in legal costs approaching $100,000 before reaching court proceedings.
Is this about politics or regulatory enforcement?
That question sits at the centre of the controversy.
Bangstad has portrayed the revocation as another chapter in a long-running conflict between his politically outspoken business and Wisconsin officials.
However, publicly available information indicates the Department of Revenue based its action on alleged licensing and tax violations rather than the brewery’s political speech.
Unless additional evidence emerges during the appeals process, there is no public indication that the brewery lost its permits because of its criticism of Donald Trump.
That distinction matters because government agencies generally regulate alcohol producers based on compliance with licensing and tax laws, while political speech enjoys significant constitutional protections.
What happens next?
The immediate timeline is relatively straightforward.
Appeal deadline
Bangstad can appeal the Department of Revenue’s decision before August 4.
If the appeal succeeds, the revocation could be delayed or overturned.
If it does not, Minocqua Brewing Company would lose authorisation to operate under the revoked permits.
Potential legal battle
The dispute could ultimately move into Wisconsin’s court system if administrative appeals fail.
Such cases often focus on whether regulators correctly applied state alcohol and tax laws rather than on political disagreements between businesses and government officials.
Why this case matters beyond one brewery
This controversy illustrates how politically outspoken businesses can become the focus of intense public scrutiny.
While companies are generally free to express political opinions, they remain subject to the same licensing, tax, and regulatory requirements as any other business.
For observers, the key issue will likely be whether Wisconsin can demonstrate that its enforcement action rests solely on documented regulatory violations, while Bangstad attempts to convince an appeals process or court that the action was improperly motivated.
As the appeal deadline approaches, both legal arguments and public opinion are likely to shape the next chapter in one of America’s most politically charged brewery disputes.
TL;DR
- Wisconsin revoked Minocqua Brewing Company’s permits to operate in the state.
- The brewery previously promised “free beer” on the day Donald Trump dies and frequently posts anti-Trump content.
- State officials say the revocation is tied to tax and permitting violations.
- Owner Kirk Bangstad denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
- The brewery has until August 4 to challenge the decision before the revocation takes effect.
