Overview: Minocqua Brewing Company has had its alcohol beverage permits revoked by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The action follows controversial social media posts made by owner Kirk Bangstad, including offers of free beer upon the death of President Donald Trump. The revocation includes two Brewer’s permits and one Alcohol Beverage Warehouse permit.
The Full Story
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that liberal activist and brewery owner Kirk Bangstad is “vowing to fight ‘tooth and nail’ after receiving a letter from the state’s Department of Revenue revoking Minocqua Brewing Co.’s permit to operate in Wisconsin, according to a July 26 newsletter sent to his supporters.” The business has locations in Madison and Minocqua.
Bangstad wrote in a Substack post on Sunday, “As you can imagine, I’m not taking this lying down.” He also asked readers to donate to his legal defense fund, writing, “As usual, fighting to keep my business alive means I have to pay lawyers, and that’s never cheap. Every time this [happens], I rack up $100K in legal bills before we even see a judge.”
A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue said, “The Wisconsin 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.”
Brand & Industry History
Bangstad is also the founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC, which “aims to remove Republican federal and state elected officials who perpetuated the election lies that caused the Insurrection of January 6, 2021, and whose downplaying of the seriousness of COVID-19 caused so many unnecessary deaths in our country,” according to the brewery’s website.
Consumer Takeaway
The business has until August 4th to appeal and can operate during the appeal process. This status applies to the two locations in Madison and Minocqua while the state reviews the notice of revocation issued for the Brewer’s permits and Alcohol Beverage Warehouse permit.
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