A Wisconsin brewery known for its outspoken progressive politics has lost its operating license after it promoted an offer of free beer on the day Donald Trump dies.
Minocqua Brewing Company, which markets politically themed drinks including Biden Beer, Bernie Brew and AOC IPA, said Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue intended to revoke its permit to operate beginning August 4.
Owner Kirk Bangstad claims the decision is retaliation for an anti-Trump promotion the brewery posted on Facebook on January 22.
The post stated: “Free beer, all day long, the day he dies,” referring to Trump.
Bangstad argues the permit revocation is politically driven and aimed at punishing what he describes as “the state’s most progressive brewery.”
After consulting attorneys who specialize in liquor licensing, Bangstad said they dismissed the state’s move as “ridiculous.”
“They both believe that someone in Wisconsin’s government is trying to make an example out of me, and they’ve told me to fight this with everything I’ve got,” he wrote in a Substack post.
He urged supporters to contribute to the brewery’s legal defense fund and vowed to challenge the state’s action.
‘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.’
Just a month earlier, the state seized all of the company’s canned beer, claiming it had been illegally transported over state lines from Illinois without permits, while also alleging unpaid taxes, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.
Kirk Bangstad, the owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company, has had their license revoked after promising free beers for everyone on the day Donald Trump dies
Minocqua Brewing Company – which sells individual beers celebrating everyone from Joe Biden to Bernie Sanders to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – took to Facebook to offer ‘free beer, all day long, the day he dies’ on January 22, meaning Trump
At the time, Bangstad called the reprimand excessive.
The Wisconsin Division of Alcohol Beverages confirmed the latest revocation of multiple permits and a warehouse permit.
‘[We] are dedicated to the fair and consistent enforcement of alcohol beverages regulations in Wisconsin,” they told Fox News.
‘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.’
They also noted Bangstad’s right to appeal and continue to operate the brewery while he does so.
The business, known for its disdain the Republican Party, went viral in January after appearing to offer free booze to customers if Trump died.
‘Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise,’ the company wrote at the time.
Although the post did not directly name the subject of that comment, many went on to speculate that they were referring to the 80-year-old president.
The brewery’s most recent post quickly raked in 7,400 comments and hundreds of shares, with people hitting back at the company for its ‘unacceptable viewpoint.’
The company has made multiple posts joking about the notion of free beer should the president pass away
They also went on to post emails they got from news organizations seeking comment on their recent post.
In April, they caused a stir yet again after taking to Facebook on Saturday evening, less than an hour after gunfire broke out at the Washington Hilton, stating: ‘Well, we almost got #freebeerday.’
‘Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We’ll never know.’
‘Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens,’ the brewery wrote.
‘We’ve been boycotted by distributors in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois – so we rely on a ragtag crew of supporters to help us self-distribute in those three states,’ the company said.
In a post shared by the company the following day, the company said their sales have spiked since news outlets started covering the story.
The company also sells Trump voodoo dolls, including some wearing a striped fabric that is supposed to be reminiscent of a prison uniform.
It also sells an ‘eff ICE’ hoodie. The profits go toward the funding of their podcast and Substack.
Bangstad’s ‘Up North Podcast’ shares weekly political commentary, which almost always bashes the Trump administration.
Its most recent episode, shared to Facebook on April 22, saw Bangstad and two guests talking about ‘war profiteering going on in the Iran war,’ and discussing what happens when ‘Trump doesn’t allow FEMA to help when we have emergencies.’
He also spoke about ‘never getting enough people in the Democratic party to pass big things.’
